Suns’ Coaching Search Being Led By James Jones, For Now

Two weeks after firing head coach Mike Budenholzer, the Phoenix Suns appear to be keeping one major piece in place — at least for now.

Despite owner Mat Ishbia’s April 17 comments suggesting sweeping changes to the team’s front office, general manager James Jones is leading the Suns’ ongoing coaching search, according to Marc Stein of The Stein Line. Jones’ contract expires in June, but Stein reported Sunday that the longtime executive is “operating as the point guard” in the franchise’s hunt for its next coach.

“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,” Stein wrote. “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.”

Stein also noted that Phoenix ideally wants to finalize its front office structure before selecting a coach to replace Budenholzer, who lasted just one season.

Ishbia had publicly outlined a deliberate process when he met with reporters earlier this month, saying, “We’ve got to set it up front first with the leadership and that starts with me and we will do that. Then we will get the right front office structure with scouts and what to look for in the draft, and then we’re going to find the right coach and it will be a process. You’re not going to see a next coach hired in a week or two.”

Even so, Jones appears to be heavily involved. That reality comes despite rumblings, reported by HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto on April 16, that Jones’ future with the Suns remained “murky” after Phoenix finished the season with a disappointing 36-46 record, despite entering the year with the NBA’s highest payroll.

Jones, 43, has been with the Suns since 2017, first joining as vice president of basketball operations before being promoted to general manager in 2019. He was named NBA Executive of the Year following the 2020-21 season, when Phoenix reached the Finals, and Ishbia opted to retain him when he purchased the franchise in early 2023.

If Jones remains part of the Suns’ long-term plans, it would signal a bit of stability after a turbulent season — and align with the approach Jones himself advocated during his end-of-season press conference.

“I think it was evident, given the time crunch and given where we were that it wasn’t as thorough or as deep of a search as we would like,” Jones told reporters, reflecting on last year’s decision to hire Budenholzer. “Fortunately for us, the season ended early so it gives us more time to get this right. Unfortunately, the season ended too early, which means that we’re in this position, but we’re going to be diligent.”

The Suns are seeking their fourth head coach in as many seasons.