The Suns just hired their coach, but they still haven’t answered the right questions.
The Phoenix Suns have, for the most part, solidified their front office heading into next season. While the coaching staff still needs to be filled out, the organization has chosen to move forward with Jordan Ott, formerly an assistant with the Cleveland Cavaliers, as their new head coach. Who he selects to join him on the bench remains to be seen.
But as the NBA Draft approaches, trade season heats up, and free agency looms, we now know that it will be Jordan Ott and Brian Gregory leading the Suns into this next chapter.
It’s going to be a challenge, not just because of the Suns’ brutal financial situation and lack of assets, but because the fan base doesn’t trust the organization right now. And rightfully so. Trust isn’t handed out; it’s earned.
So far, this offseason has been fumbled. If you were setting FanDuel odds on the Suns’ chances for success next season, they probably wouldn’t look nearly as favorable as they have in years past. +4500, anyone?
Last week, before the Suns officially hired Jordan Ott, we asked the community who they preferred between the two reported finalists: Johnnie Bryant or Jordan Ott. The results weren’t close. Fans overwhelmingly wanted Bryant.
There’s no doubt the perception of collegiate nepotism with Jordan Ott’s connection to Michigan State is part of what sours the fan base on this hire. That stigma is something the Suns will have to navigate, not just this offseason, but well into next season.
And let’s be honest: next season probably won’t be great in terms of the final record. The hope is simply that the team competes. That they don’t quit. That they don’t mail it in or feed us another round of “we’ll get ’em next game,” like we heard far too often last year.
Because if the Suns want to earn back the trust of their fan base, it starts with effort. Grit. Heart. Every decision made this offseason has been met with skepticism, and at this point, the Suns are starting from a deficit. And I’m not just talking about their cap sheet.
What lies ahead is an uphill battle. The organization needs to start stacking wins, not just on the court, but with the people who care the most. The fans.
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