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Final two candidates for Suns head coaching job revealed

Originally posted on Burn City Sports
By Tanner Tortorella | Last updated Jun 2, 2025 6:00 PM ET

ESPN NBA insider Shams Charania revealed the final two candidates for the Phoenix Suns head coaching job in Cleveland Cavaliers assistants Johnnie Bryant and Jordan Ott. The month-long coaching search is in its final stage with the two finalists set to meet with owner Mat Ishbia in Michigan on Tuesday to have one final interview before a decision is made by the end of the week.

Charania on Suns head coaching search:

The Phoenix Suns have narrowed their head coaching search to two finalists from the Cleveland Cavaliers, associate coach Johnnie Bryant and assistant Jordan Ott, sources tell ESPN. Both will meet with Suns owner Mat Ishbia in Michigan ahead of a hiring as soon as later this week. pic.twitter.com/6JSG8EiuaU

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 2, 2025

Bryant has the edge on experience, being a top assistant around the league for the past decade. He has been under the tutelage of Quinn Snyder, Tom Thibodeau and Kenny Atkinson. The 39-year-old was the top assistant with the New York Knicks and the Cleveland Cavaliers in the past two seasons and is primed for his first head coaching job with Phoenix.

While less experience, Ott is regarded as a creative, offensive mastermind and has helped the Brooklyn Nets, Los Angles Lakers and the Cavaliers rejuvenate the offense. Cleveland’s 121.0 offensive rating was the best in the league. Ott was with Atkinson in Brooklyn and spent reunited last season with him in Cleveland for his seventh season in the NBA.

Gregory has led the charge of narrowing the wide field of candidates to the final two and now will bring the coaches to Ishbia to help in the final decision. The Suns owner had no dictation on picking the final two candidates but will meet face-to-face with both before the decision is finalized.

This article first appeared on Burn City Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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