Jordan Ott’s first bench hire shows Suns are prioritizing familiarity and philosophy.
With a new head coach comes new voices on the bench. And now that the Phoenix Suns have officially brought on Jordan Ott to lead the charge, the next step begins: building out his coaching staff.
It’s a demanding stretch for Ott, who must balance the assembling of his bench with the evaluation of NBA Draft prospects, pre-draft workouts, and weighing in on trade and free agency targets that could define the franchise’s direction.
The first reported addition to Ott’s staff is a familiar face: DeMarre Carroll. The two share history, having worked together as assistants with the Lakers and Cavaliers.
JUST IN: Phoenix Suns coach Jordan Ott has added DeMarre Carroll as an assistant coach on his bench, league sources told @hoopshype. Ott coached Carroll with the Brooklyn Nets and both worked together as assistant coaches for the Los Angeles Lakers and Cleveland Cavaliers. pic.twitter.com/MWgEJc20qB
— Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) June 12, 2025
Carroll, originally drafted in 2009 — the same loaded class that produced Harden, Curry, DeRozan, and Holiday — carved out an 11-year NBA career across eight teams.
Known for his toughness and defensive acumen, Carroll transitioned into coaching in 2022, joining the Milwaukee Bucks under Mike Budenholzer, who coached him during their Atlanta Hawks days. He then joined the Lakers in 2023, and this past season served on the Cavaliers’ staff.
Now, he becomes the first known assistant on Ott’s bench, a bench that will be shaped not just by résumés, but by shared vision and philosophy.
There will be more names to come, of course. But Carroll is the first domino. And if all goes well, we’ll see him alongside Amanda Pflugrad at halftime interviews next season, breaking down what’s working, what’s not, and how this new Suns era is starting to take shape.
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