Phoenix Suns GM Offers Details on Head Coaching Search Amid Vacancy

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Zachary Rainey | Last updated May 7, 2025 4:04 PM ET

The Phoenix Suns suffered an unfortunate season this past year.

Instead of building upon the year before, when the Minnesota Timberwolves swept them out of the first round, they went into a tailspin.

Durant was injured and in and out of the lineup. There was drama around the trade deadline after the team was looking to trade Durant.

While they opted to hold onto him, it remains to be seen whether Durant is a long-term fit in Phoenix.

Phoenix Suns GM offers details on head coaching vacancy

The Suns made one final push toward making the NBA Play-In Tournament, but once Durant injured his ankle in late March, that all but sealed the Suns' fate.

Their first order of business was to fire Mike Budenholzer, which they did so almost immediately.

The Suns then installed Brian Gregory as the team's next general manager.

Gregory was already the team's vice president of player programming and James Jones will now serve as a senior advisor to Gregory and the Suns.

The relationship between owner Mat Ishbia and Gregory goes back to Michigan State, where Gregory was an assistant coach and Gregory played on the 2000 National Championship team.

Gregory shared what he's looking for in their next head coach.

"My main focus right now is hiring the next head coach of the Phoenix Suns, and hiring a great one," Gregory said.

Suns GM Brian Gregory on the Suns' head coaching search: "My main focus right now is hiring the next head coach of the Phoenix Suns, and hiring a great one."

Mentioned basketball IQ, communication, sharing the Suns' vision, toughness, physicality and holding players accountable
— Gerald Bourguet (@GeraldBourguet) May 6, 2025

Based on what Ishbia's done with the role, it has been pretty telling.

He fired Monty Williams, a coach who brought the Suns to the brink of a title, for Frank Vogel, then fired Vogel for Budenholzer. What do those two have in common? They've both won NBA Championships.

As a result, it seems only logical that the Suns will at least consider hiring former Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone.

Malone won a championship with the Nuggets in 2023 and went 471-327 in 10 seasons and six playoff appearances.

He could be a welcome addition, especially if the Suns look to run it back with their current roster and choose not to trade and rebuild.

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

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