Jordan Ott wants the Suns to earn trust, build habits, and win the right way.
It didn’t take long for Jordan Ott to make one thing clear in his introductory press conference: he’s here to work. You can check out the entire Q&A here, and there’s a lot to like.
The 20-year NBA coaching veteran spoke with measured confidence, laying out a vision rooted in structure, accountability, and connection. Ott, who arrives in Phoenix with a reputation for detailed preparation and player development, isn’t pitching a revolution. He’s pitching a process.
“You have to be process-oriented in this business. There are so many highs and lows to it,” Ott said. “Are we getting better? That’s what I’m concerned about.”
The Suns are betting that steady, smart leadership can offer the kind of internal improvement the team desperately needs. In a Western Conference where small gains can shift a season, Ott’s emphasis on consistency, habits, and character might just be the kind of low-noise, high-output philosophy Phoenix needs.
New General Manager, Brian Gregory, echoed the sentiment, noting that today’s players are looking for substance in leadership, not slogans.
“Players today want quality,” Gregory said. “They want a coach who’s honest. They may not always like what’s being told to them, but they want an honest evaluation.”
Trust as Foundation
Throughout the press conference, one theme came up over and over: trust.
“Initially, everyone will be respectful of the position. But it quickly turns to—‘Can you help them?’” Ott explained. “Once they know you can help them, that helps the relationship. That helps you coach them.”
It’s a player-first approach, but not a player-coddling one. Ott discussed building relationships over time, being present, and maintaining consistency. It’s not hard to imagine that resonating with a Suns roster that has cycled through voices and styles in recent seasons. In Coach Ott’s words: “Relationships are built through trust and time. That’s what we’ll be looking to build.”
On Development and Drafting the Right Way
Ott’s identity is firmly rooted in player development. When the topic turned to the upcoming draft and evaluating young talent, his response was more philosophical than positional.
“It’s the guys that have high character,” Ott said. “This is a competitive league, and you have to trust that that player is going to do exactly what they say or it doesn’t work.”
Professional habits—such as showing up on time, treating others with respect, and putting in the work—are non-negotiables for Ott. He believes the combination of consistency and character gives players a chance to succeed in the NBA’s demanding environment. That’s the filter he’ll be applying in the weeks ahead.
“That’s what we want the Phoenix Suns to be about.”
Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Familiarity with the Modern NBA
At 39, Ott becomes one of the younger head coaches in the league, but he’s no stranger to the modern NBA. He’s coached superstars like LeBron James and Kevin Durant, worked in analytically driven front offices, reviewed countless hours of game tape, and helped NBA organisations develop players from the ground up.
“To survive multiple years in this league, it takes more than talent,” Ott said. “It takes consistency, professionalism, and care.”
That blend of old-school values and new-school experience could be exactly what this roster needs. He won’t sell dreams. He’ll sell the grind. And in Phoenix, that might be the perfect place to start.
“We’re all competitors—it just comes out in different ways,” Ott added. “Without that fuel, that day-to-day grind of it all, it’s really hard to get better and be successful.”
As Ott settles into the role, the next few weeks will begin to shape what his version of the Phoenix Suns looks like. Questions remain—how involved will he be in the upcoming draft? Who will join him on the sidelines as part of his coaching staff? For now, the message is clear: Jordan Ott is here to build, not borrow.
Is the dawn of a new day for Phoenix?
Listen to the latest episode of the Suns JAM Session Podcast below. To stay up to date on every episode, subscribe to the pod on Apple, Spotify, YouTube, YouTube Podcasts, Amazon Music, Podbean, or Castbox.
Please subscribe, rate, and review.