The James Jones era in Phoenix has officially come to an end.
According to Chris Haynes, James Jones is replacing Joe Dumars at the NBA office to become the league’s new Executive Vice President. He will report to Byron Spruell, President, League Operations. Jones recently transitioned from GM to senior advisor this offseason, once Brian Gregory was named GM.
According to the NBA, Jones will oversee all Basketball Operations matters for the NBA, including the development of playing rules and interpretations, conduct and discipline, and policies and procedures relating to the operation of games.
BREAKING: James Jones is departing Phoenix Suns to replace Joe Dumars at NBA office to become league’s new Executive Vice President, Head of Basketball Operations, sources tell me. pic.twitter.com/lzUy1Oe99R
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) July 9, 2025
He rejoined the Phoenix Suns organization in 2017 after playing two seasons (2005-07) for the team as a player and has been the Suns’ GM since 2019.
Jones was the Executive of the Year in 2021, building a Suns roster that went to the NBA Finals for the first time since 1993. He helped guide Phoenix to four straight playoff appearances from 2021 to 2024.
Photo by Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images
Say what you want about James Jones in recent years, but he joined the team as GM in 2019 after a decade of PHX missing the playoffs. He helped build a new culture that attracted players and shook off their old narrative that held them back in the past.
He was responsible for Mikal Bridges. He drafted Cam Johnson. He convinced Chris Paul to believe in the Bubble Suns.
James was two wins away from becoming a Suns legend forever. “Close, but no cigar” is how I will remember the James Jones era in Phoenix.
The wheels fell off recently, but we don’t even know how involved he was in any of that.
It’s a fresh start for Jones and the Suns alike as we embark on a new era of Suns basketball.
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