PHOENIX –An interesting development in the Phoenix Suns head coach search as president of basketball operations and general manager James Jones is leading the charge. NBA insiders Jakes Fischer and Marc Stein reported that Jones has been “operating as the point guard” for the team’s head coaching search despite Jones’ contract expiring in June.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Suns owner Mat Ishbia proclamated during his end-of-season press conferences that changes are coming. Many assumed Jones’ contract situation would prevent him from re-signing. However, the latest news from Fischer and Stein indicates that might not be the case.
Nov 8, 2023; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Phoenix Suns general manager James Jones, center, and owner Matt Ishbia, right, watch their team warms up before a game against the Chicago Bulls at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Sabau-USA TODAY Sports
Fischer and Stein on Suns coaching search:
“Interesting rumble out of the desert as we await the Suns’ expected restructuring of their front office:
Word is that James Jones, whose contract as the Suns’ lead decision-maker expires in June, has to this point been operating as the point guard for the Phoenix coaching search.
Suns owner Mat Ishbia is on record as saying that the search will be slow-moving, but the fact that Jones is at its forefront to this point would seem to support suggestions that he could be asked to stay with the franchise in a reconfigured role in the event that a new lead decision-maker is hired.
League sources say Phoenix would ideally settle upon its new front office structure before hiring a head coach to replace the one-and-done Mike Budenholzer.”
May 5, 2023; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns general manager James Jones prior to the game against the Denver Nuggets in game three of the 2023 NBA playoffs at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
After missing the Play-In at 36-46, the team is looking for a culture changer to fill the head coaching spot. The front office is expected to depart from MVP forward Kevin Durant this summer and potentially Bradley Beal, making next season a clean slate for the new regime.
Ishbia wanted to set up a culture that resembled Phoenix, which was gritty and hard-working, and getting to that point started with finding a head coach. Jones has been with the organization since 2017 and saved the team from lottery purgatory to a Finals run in 2021. However, this summer will be the 44-year-old’s hardest challenge to try and fix the mess of last season’s team.
Oct 2, 2023; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns owner Mat Ishbia (left), general manager James Jones (center) and CEO Josh Bartelstein poses for a portrait during media day at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
It’s unclear if Jones will resign a new contract with the Suns, or have a different role with the franchise moving forward. For now at least, Jones is a key part of the team’s head coaching search and will be the driving force to changing organization’s culture heading into 2025-2026.
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Reporter Tanner Tortorella covers general assignment for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @TannerTSports
