The Phoenix Suns endured yet another frustrating campaign in the 2024–25 NBA season. The season ended with a 36-46 record, placing them 11th in the Western Conference. The underwhelming results prompted the team to part ways with their head coach after a year of unmet expectations.
Meanwhile, the Suns organization is making early moves to avoid wasting another year of championship hopes. According to Gerald Bourguet of Phoenix Sports, Suns owner Mat Ishbia took a rare and honest approach by sending an internal email to the basketball operations staff. In the letter, Ishbia took personal accountability for the team’s lack of culture and identity.
“According to another source, Ishbia emailed the Suns basketball operations team internally on Wednesday, taking accountability for not doing enough to establish a culture and identity in Phoenix. The Suns’ owner stated that he tried ‘running the typical NBA owner playbook’ of ‘hiring experts, signing checks, and getting out of the way,’ but no one was happy with the outcome,” Bourguet wrote.
Mat Ishbia sent an internal letter to Suns basketball ops today, taking accountability for not establishing a culture, praising Brian Gregory for his interview process and hailing the hiring of Jordan Ott as a milestone. Some insight on the new Suns coach: https://t.co/0wakCZUrO7
— Gerald Bourguet (@GeraldBourguet) June 4, 2025
Isbia already understood that no one in the Suns organization was satisfied with his strategy. Bourguet added that Ishbia vowed to take a more hands-on, unconventional approach moving forward.
“He acknowledged his more unconventional approach as an owner is to ensure the Suns get back to the requisite level of winning that’s been absent the last few years,” he added.
Jordan Ott Hired As New Head Coach Of The Phoenix Suns
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The email came shortly after the Suns finalized hiring Cleveland Cavaliers assistant coach Jordan Ott as their new head coach. Ott was chosen over fellow finalist Johnnie Bryant, the Cavs’ associate coach. In the same internal message, Ishbia praised newly appointed general manager Brian Gregory for his role in the coaching search.
“In his letter, Ishbia also praised Gregory for his interview process, saying, ‘His work on this coaching search was fantastic and gave us exactly what we need right now—a young, hungry, dynamic leader ready to be an NBA coach,” Bourguet wrote.
Ott’s innovative offensive mindset helped tip the scales in his favor. His “cutting-edge” basketball approach was exactly what the franchise wanted as they now look to rebuild their identity.
