New Suns Head Coach Impressed Devin Booker, Steve Nash For One Key Reason originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
The Phoenix Suns took care of another important piece of business on Wednesday as they ended their search for a new head coach.
Of course, the Suns had spent weeks interviewing candidates to replace Mike Budenholzer, who they fired after the end of the regular season after the franchise missed the playoffs for the first time since the 2019-20 season.
On Wednesday, the Suns announced that they had hired Cleveland Cavaliers assistant coach Jordan Ott as the franchise’s new head coach.
Just In: The Phoenix Suns are hiring Cleveland Cavaliers assistant Jordan Ott as the franchise’s new head coach, sources tell ESPN. Ott has been an NBA assistant since 2012 and has a strong background of offensive and defensive creativity, player development and communication. pic.twitter.com/doDE6Fahdj
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 4, 2025
ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that Suns star guard Devin Booker was involved in their search for a new head coach as the team is expected to build around him this summer and move on from both Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal to end their failed big three.
With Ott now taking over, he inherits a Suns team that has a long road ahead of them but both Booker and franchise legend Steve Nash reportedly liked him as the head coach due to a key reason according to insider John Gambadoro.
“What they liked about Ott was work ethic/drive and a different level of sophistication with his offensive system than the other candidates. Got seal of approval from Devin Booker. And Steve Nash had very positive feedback as well,” Gambadoro posted on X.
What they liked about Ott was work ethic/drive and a different level of sophistication with his offensive system than the other candidates. Got seal of approval from Devin Booker. And Steve Nash had very positive feedback as well.
— John Gambadoro (@Gambo987) June 4, 2025
It is clear that Ott’s work ethic and offensive system is what ultimately led him to being named the new head coach of the Suns as both Booker and Nash approved of the deal.
Of course, the Suns struggled mightily last season on both the offensive and defensive ends and they hope that Ott can help change the culture in Phoenix.
Despite this, Phoenix still has a long road ahead of them during the offseason as they try to move on from both Durant and Beal and rebuild their roster around Booker to try and eventually return as a championship contender with their rookie head coach.
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 5, 2025, where it first appeared.