The Phoenix Suns aren’t making the kind of noise fans hoped they would be at this point in the year. A season that started on a great note with an 8-1 start ended with Phoenix missing the Play-In Tournament altogether. The Suns have already begun to shake things up, and the NBA offseason hasn’t officially started yet.
Mike Budenholzer is out after one season. Mat Ishbia stated that Phoenix isn’t going to rush its search for a new head coach, which is a smart move, considering the past three head coaches have lasted only one season.
Head coach isn’t the only role the Suns could look to fill, as James Jones, president of basketball operations and GM, could be out come June when his contract expires. There have been no reports about traction on a new deal, leading fans to believe the 2024-25 season would be Jones’ last.
However, based on the latest report, that might not be the case. Or, at the very least, Jones may no longer be the head decision-maker in the front office, meaning his role would shift. NBA insider Marc Stein reported on Sunday (subscription required) that Jones has been “operating as the point guard for the Phoenix coaching search.”
James Jones leading Suns’ head coach search
Stein added that sources said Phoenix would “ideally” like to configure its front office before hiring a new coach. Having Jones lead the search seems pointless if he isn’t going to be around past June.
The Suns’ dream front-office target is Bob Myers, but as Stein previously reported, it would take a lot to pull the former Warriors GM away from his current roles with ESPN and the Washington Commanders. If Phoenix could persuade Myers to move to the desert, there would be no question that he would replace Jones; however, that doesn’t mean he would leave the organization.
It’s going to be a busy summer in Arizona. The Kevin Durant trade train hasn’t hit full steam yet, but it will. Odds are that he’s played in his final game with the Suns. Phoenix dangled his name in trade talks before the deadline, which came as a surprise to KD. The Suns’ future is bleak due to their limited assets and finances, but Ishbia has made it clear that Phoenix is not going to enter a rebuild. Getting the best possible return for Durant will be a priority, even though he will have leverage.
It seems like (at least for now) Jones will be part of those decisions, and more.
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