Suns Reportedly Narrow HC Search to Cavs' Johnnie Bryant, Jordan Ott amid NBA Rumors

The Phoenix Suns reportedly dwindled their list of head coaching candidates down to two.

According to ESPN's Shams Charania, Cleveland Cavaliers associate head coach Johnnie Bryant and assistant coach Jordan Ott are the two finalists for the Suns' head coach opening and will meet with team owner Mat Ishbia in Michigan before a hiring decision is made "as soon as later this week."

The Suns are searching for a new head coach for the third time in the last three years following the one-year tenures of Frank Vogel and Mike Budenholzer, the latter of whom coached the team to a 36-46 finish in 2024-25. The team named Brian Gregory as its new general manager last month, and Charania reported that he's led a "multiround process that began with over 15 coaching interviews."

After eight candidates advanced to the second round of interviews, six were invited for in-person interviews, per Charania. The list reportedly included Bryant, Ott, Miami Heat assistant Chris Quinn, Dallas Mavericks assistant Sean Sweeney, Oklahoma City Thunder assistant Dave Bliss and current Suns staff member David Fizdale. Charania added that Suns star guard Devin Booker "has been involved in the search process over the past seven to 10 days."

Bryant and Ott worked under 2024-25 NBA Coach of the Year Kenny Atkinson and helped lead the Cavaliers to a first-place finish in the Eastern Conference with a record of 64-18. Cleveland fell in the Eastern Conference semifinals against the Indiana Pacers, who went on to advance to the NBA Finals.

Both Bryant and Ott are veteran assistants with extensive experience in the NBA, although neither has ever served as a head coach. Phoenix appears to be seeking an influx of new energy as it tries to return to playoff contention next season.