The Phoenix Suns are relying on a familiar name to lead them forward. The team will reportedly promote vice president Brian Gregory into the general manager role, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania.
Gregory joined the Suns in June of 2024 after multiple years as a college-basketball coach. He coached South Florida for six seasons, putting up a 79-107 record before being fired after the 2022-23 season. Prior to that, Gregory spent five seasons at Georgia Tech and seven years at Dayton.
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James Jones, who served as the Suns’ general manager since the 2018-19 NBA season, will move into an advisory role with the franchise following Gregory’s promotion. The team went 298-257 with Jones at the helm.
The move comes as the Suns are set to embark on a crucial offseason. After a disappointing year, in which the team went 36-46, the Suns are expected to make some potentially big changes in the offseason. Superstar Kevin Durant is rumored to be on the block, and the team will reportedly work with Durant and his agent to find the forward a new home.
The Suns attempted to trade Durant back to the Warriors at the trade deadline, but Durant did not want to relocate in the middle of the season. Durant does not have a no-trade clause in his contract. The team will reportedly also look to trade Bradley Beal, though that could prove difficult due to his contract. Beal will make over $53 million in each of the next two seasons. He does have a no-trade clause as part of his contract.
While a Durant trade is the most pressing issue facing the Suns in the offseason, Gregory will also be tasked with hiring a new head coach after the team fired Mike Budenholzer after just one season on the job.
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Suns owner Mat Ishbia hasn’t been patient with the team’s coaches in recent years. Before Budenholzer’s exit, the team fired Frank Vogel after just one season on the job. Monty Williams was fired after the 2023 season, meaning whoever Gregory hires will be the fourth Suns head coach in the last four seasons.
Following Budenholzer’s firing, Ishbia issued a harsh statement, claiming Budenholzer was “the wrong coach for our organization.” It will be up to Gregory to make sure the team’s new coach can avoid the same fate.
Ishbia and Gregory have some history with each other. Prior to coaching at Dayton, Gregory had two separate stints as an assistant coach at Michigan State, Ishbia’s alma mater.
This story will be updated.
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