The Phoenix Suns are shoring up their coaching staff by adding a seasoned coach.
ESPN’s Shams Charania reports that the Phoenix Suns are adding Orlando assistant Jesse Mermuys as a top assistant to Jordan Ott’s staff.
He is a well-respected coach and served as the lead assistant coach and offensive coordinator for the Orlando Magic. He had been a part of that coaching staff since 2021.
The Phoenix Suns are hiring Orlando Magic assistant Jesse Mermuys as a top assistant coach on Jordan Ott’s staff, sources tell ESPN. Critical hire for Ott to lure a lead assistant from a well-respected Magic staff.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 10, 2025
Mermuys has been an assistant coach in the NBA since 2008. He’s been an assistant under George Karl, Kevin McHale, Dwyane Casey, Luke Walton, Dave Joerger, and, most recently, Jamahl Mosley in Orlando.
A Tucson native, Mermuys coached at Salpointe and Pima CC and was the director of basketball operations at the University of Arizona.
Photo by Bart Young/NBAE via Getty Images
John Gambadoro also dropped this nugget today on X, indicating that Mateen Cleaves will join the Suns with a focus on player development in his new role.
Well he will now be in the Suns locker room DWade – Hearing that former NBA veteran Mateen Cleaves will be joining the Suns with a role on the player development staff. Expecting his focus will be on leadership, motivation and overall player development. https://t.co/WCAAqhqZty
— John Gambadoro (@Gambo987) July 10, 2025
We’ll keep you up to date on how the rest of the staff shakes out.
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