Suns GM Says 'Focus' is on HC Hire, NBA Draft amid Kevin Durant, Beal Trade Rumors

It's one step at a time for new Phoenix Suns general manager Brian Gregory despite the Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal trade speculation that will likely linger in the early stages of the offseason.

"My main focus right now, to be honest with you, is finding the right head coach for those guys," Gregory told reporters Tuesday. "And getting prepared for the draft. That's where my mind is at 20 hours of the 24 hours a day right now."

Notably, he said of Durant and Beal, "I have a very good relationship with both those guys."

Phoenix promoted Gregory from vice president of player programming to GM on Thursday, which was a notable move considering his relationship with team governor Mat Ishbia. Gregory was an assistant coach at Michigan State when Ishbia was a player.

Gregory was also a head coach at Dayton, Georgia Tech and South Florida and seems ready to execute his former player's vision:

The Suns will be under the spotlight this offseason after they were arguably the most disappointing team in the league in 2024-25. They didn't even qualify for the play-in tournament despite having a roster with Durant, Beal and Devin Booker, and they ended up firing head coach Mike Budenholzer.

They have now fired their head coach in three consecutive seasons after previously moving on from Monty Williams and Frank Vogel as well.

Durant being the center of trade speculation isn't particularly surprising, as he has one season remaining on his deal and will be 37 years old in 2025-26. As for Beal, his no-trade clause made plenty of headlines this season as the team failed to land Jimmy Butler ahead of the February deadline.

Perhaps Gregory and the front office will eventually decide the best way to build toward the future is by landing multiple draft picks and young players in a deal for Durant before he possibly leaves in free agency next offseason.

But he is focused on finding a coach for now.