New Suns Coach Jordan Ott: ‘I’ve Earned the Right to Be Here’

“I’ve earned the right to be here,” Ott said Tuesday during his introductory press conference. “I’ve spent 20 years working as hard as I possibly can. I’ve been around great people, great coaches, great players… I know I’ve earned this opportunity. That excites me.”

Ott, 43, spent two years as a graduate assistant under Izzo at Michigan State and most recently served as an assistant on Kenny Atkinson’s staff in Cleveland. He beat out fellow Cavs assistant Johnnie Bryant, among more than 15 candidates interviewed, to secure the Suns’ top job.

Gregory said Ott was the “clear choice.”

“His work ethic is beyond reproach,” Gregory told reporters. “His basketball knowledge, his forward thinking offensively, his blueprint for an aggressive defense — it all aligned. Jordan stood out at every step of the process.”

Ott inherits a roster in transition. While there’s been no public signal that Phoenix is heading for a full rebuild, the team is openly working with Kevin Durant and his business manager, Rich Kleiman, to explore a trade ahead of the NBA Draft. The Suns are also expected to gauge Bradley Beal’s market, though Beal’s no-trade clause makes that situation more complicated.

The one constant is Devin Booker, around whom the team is attempting to reshape the roster.

There will be changes on the bench, too. Assistant coach David Fizdale will not be retained, according to John Gambadoro of Arizona Sports. Former Rockets head coach Stephen Silas is under consideration to join Ott’s staff.

Ott becomes the fifth Suns head coach in the past six seasons. He’ll be tasked with not only stabilizing the sideline but navigating a high-stakes offseason for a team searching for a fresh start — but not a full teardown.