Johnnie Bryant and Jordan Ott have emerged as the two finalists for the Phoenix Suns’ head coaching job. Both candidates will meet with Mat Ishbia, Josh Bartelstein and Brian Gregory later this week. Devin Booker has also been involved in the search process over the past week.
The Suns are searching for a replacement for Mike Budenholzer, who was fired at the end of the season. The Suns will have their fourth head coach in four seasons since Ishbia assumed ownership of the team.
Both Bryant and Ott are currently assistant coaches with the Cleveland Cavaliers under Kenny Atkinson. Bryant was an assistant coach for the Utah Jazz from 2012 until 2020 before joining the New York Knicks in 2020. Ott previously was an assistant coach wit the Atlanta Hawks under Mike Budenohlzer before joining Atkinson with the Brooklyn Nets. Ott also was an assistant coach with the Los Angeles Lakers under Darvin Ham. Ott was a video coordinator under Tom Izzo at Michigan State from 2008 until 2013.