Suns name Brian Gregory as GM, make James Jones senior adviser

The Phoenix Suns named a brand new head of basketball operations Thursday, selling vice chairman Brian Gregory to be the franchise’s new common supervisor as James Jones transitions to a job as senior adviser for the group, the staff introduced.

Phoenix additionally elevated Oronde Taliaferro to assistant common supervisor and added basketball operations tasks to Chief Innovation Officer Paul Rivers’ duties.

After twenty years as an NCAA head coach, Gregory labored intently with Suns officers within the entrance workplace over the previous two years, was a key a part of the alternatives of 2024 draft picks Ryan Dunn and Oso Ighodaro, and he now assumes a extra outstanding, day-to-day place.

“Brian has been a valuable member of our front office, playing an integral role in drafting and developing our young players,” Suns proprietor Mat Ishbia mentioned in a press release. “I am excited for him to step in to the role of general manager. He is a brilliant basketball mind, and he will transform and elevate our team.”

Jones has been Suns GM since 2019, successful govt of the 12 months for the 2020-21 season and guiding 4 straight playoff seasons. Jones rejoined the Suns group in 2017 after taking part in two seasons (2005-07) for the staff as a participant.

“James’ contributions have been instrumental to our organization, and we appreciate everything he has done for the Suns on and off the court,” Ishbia added. “We are grateful to continue to have his experience and insight.”

After ending 36-46 and in eleventh place this season, the Suns are present process a summer time of main modifications, firing coach Mike Budenholzer on April 14 and restructuring their basketball operations.

The Suns quickly will embark on an expansive, wide-ranging seek for their subsequent head coach, sources mentioned.

“I want to put a team out there on the court that everyone is proud of,” staff proprietor Mat Ishbia mentioned in a information convention after the Suns’ season ended. “It has to have an identity — an identity similar to Phoenix. Some grit, some determination, some work ethic, some grind, some joy. We just haven’t had that.”

Gregory has expertise throughout the basketball panorama, serving 19 seasons as a head coach in faculty basketball with Dayton, Georgia Tech and South Florida. He was additionally an assistant coach at Michigan State beneath Tom Izzo from 1999 to 2003 — which overlapped with Ishbia’s stint as a degree guard on the nationwide championship staff in 2000.

Taliaferro served because the Suns director of scouting final season after beforehand holding NBA scouting roles over the previous 15 years with the Brooklyn Nets and Pistons. Previous to becoming a member of Detroit, Taliaferro held collegiate assistant teaching roles at Oklahoma, Arkansas and Kent State.

Rivers has over 25 years of sports activities govt expertise, together with basketball management roles with the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder.