Cavs Assistant Jordan Ott Considered Candidate For Suns Vacancy

Cavaliers assistant Jordan Ott is among those who may be on the Suns’ radar in their search for a head coach, per Michael Scotto for HoopsHype.

Given the Cavs’ smashing success this season, that’s not a surprise. Rivals will undoubtedly want to try to pluck from Kenny Atkinson’s staff. Cavs associate head coach Johnnie Bryant is also said to be a candidate in Phoenix.

Ott is an alum of Michigan State University, the same alma mater as Suns owner Mat Ishbia. Ott became an assistant under Atkinson before this season, coming to Cleveland after two years with the Lakers and former LA coach Darvin Ham.

Before that, Ott served as an assistant coach with the Nets from 2016-2020 under Atkinson, and was the Hawks’ video coordinator from 2013-16 under Mike Budenholzer.

Interestingly, Budenholzer was just fired by the Suns after one season. This is just the way things so often go in the NBA. In Phoenix, they seem to be even crazier than most places since Ishbia took over.

At any rate, Ott and Bryant are expected to remain candidates elsewhere should they not land or want the Suns gig.

The Cavs face the Pacers in the Eastern Conference semifinals, with Game 1 set for Sunday at Rocket Arena.