Los Angeles Lakers fans just saw one of the most coveted head coaching vacancies in the NBA get filled, and the new hire has ties to the Purple and Gold.
The Phoenix Suns completely overhauled their coaching staff after relieving former NBA champion Mike Budenholzer of his duties after the team finished the 2024-25 campaign with a 36-46 record and missed the postseason altogether.
With Budenholzer no longer roaming the sidelines in the Valley of the Sun, Phoenix has reportedly turned to longtime assistant coach Jordan Ott as the next leader of the franchise in the huddle. This past season, Ott served on Kenny Atkinson's staff with the Cleveland Cavaliers. Before that, however, Ott served as an assistant coach for the Lakers and was in that role from 2022 through 2024.
Just In: The Phoenix Suns are hiring Cleveland Cavaliers assistant Jordan Ott as the franchise's new head coach, sources tell ESPN. Ott has been an NBA assistant since 2012 and has a strong background of offensive and defensive creativity, player development and communication. pic.twitter.com/doDE6Fahdj
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 4, 2025
Jordan Ott Sent to Become Suns Head Coach
Interestingly enough, Ott will be replacing the coach who helped him break into the league. It was Budenholzer's Atlanta Hawks where the new head man in Phoenix began his rise as a video coordinator, a role he held from 2013 through 2016.
The situation Ott will be walking into will not resemble what he enjoyed in Cleveland this past season. The Suns are at a crossroads right now and could make some major moves this summer that reshape this roster and the franchise's timeline for success.
Thanks largely in part to the no-trade clause in his contract, Bradley Beal is all but a given to remain with the Suns. What Phoenix elects to do with Kevin Durand and Devin Booker remains to be seen. It would not be surprising in the slightest bit to see one of those two moved this offseason, and, for several reasons beyond just age, Durant would fit that bill more than Booker does at this time.
Lakers fans should feel good for Ott about the opportunity that has come his way. That support will quickly change to boos whenever Los Angeles hosts Phoenix, however.