Suns Off Season Changes for 2025: Trades, Buyouts, GM, Coaches, etc.

[Town Drunk]

James Jones moved aside as Suns ownership takes full control

The James Jones era has officially come to a close.

www.brightsideofthesun.com

 

[Mainstreet]

That would make very little sense also. The GM is the person who should be empowered to find the new head coach. The GM should be the one with the Vision for coach, style and players. Picking a coach and then saddling him with a GM who didn’t pick him is bassackwards.

It's backwards, for sure. Maybe the Suns wanted to move James Jones out of the picture immediately so they could make other moves.

If the Suns hadn't had said Gregory would be the GM, I might think they were looking at a GM/coach, but this doesn't seem to be the case.

 

[clyde2tw]

Is this the same James Jones that traded a first round pick for Landry Shamet and passed on drafting Tyrese Haliburton?

I do believe someone was whispering in James Jones ear to draft Toumani Camara.

That'd explain why he didn't appreciate him enough to leave him out of the deal with Blazers.

 

[Hoop Head]

the dude is completely unqualified for the job. that's not a slam. it's just a matter of fact. whether he surprises us or not is yet to be seen, but after a disastrous couple years, asking fans for patience in the face of what's already been mostly incompetence, and appears to be more of the same, is a bit of an ask.

Unqualified? He was hired. He's worked in front offices. He's as qualified as JJ was when he was hired.

As far as patience, this is the mess created by the KD and then Beal trade. We aren't competing for a championship for the next 4-5 years, once we are in control of our own destiny.

There's nothing about this move that screams incompetence. You can believe it was a bad move but the vast majority of GM's have no experience as a GM when hired.

You don't have to like it but you're creating a narrative that doesn't jive with reality.

 

[Chaplin]

Unqualified? He was hired. He's worked in front offices. He's as qualified as JJ was when he was hired.

As far as patience, this is the mess created by the KD and then Beal trade. We aren't competing for a championship for the next 4-5 years, once we are in control of our own destiny.

There's nothing about this move that screams incompetence. You can believe it was a bad move but the vast majority of GM's have no experience as a GM when hired.

You don't have to like it but you're creating a narrative that doesn't jive with reality.

I'm with you to a point. I think it's refreshing to bring in a fresh face, however his resume does concern me. Not the quantity of his experience, but the QUALITY of it.

 

[leclerc]

I love how many of you slam it before he's even had a day on the job. I'm willing to give him a chance. I can be critical later if I believe he's making bad decisions.

+1. Yes, it sounds like reshuffling and no actual change, but everybody has to start somewhere. I am glad JJ no longer has the title and will absolutely celebrate it this weekend.

When roster changes are published we'll know more if they address our blatently obvious holes or not. Size and athleticism, more defense. We still need skill players, but I am so sick of being over powered and out worked every night!

 

[Finito]

How about someone who has experience? Someone who has proven that they know what they're doing, and have successfully rebuilt a franchise? Someone that ISN'T associated with Ishbia or the current FO?

James Jones has proven that he can build a championship caliber team - I'd have much rather he wasn't completely neutered and allowed to do his job.

Bartlestein has experience but he's also proven to be terrible everywhere he goes.

This is a critical moment, and instead of choosing experience and expertise, it's just another rubber stamp for Ish to play GM.

Please defend why a total nobody is the answer here.

James Jones didn’t build that team. Ryan McDonough did. He was handed that team then destroyed it with some of the most incompetent moves we’ve ever seen.

We literally might be in the single worst position of any NBA team ever right now.

 

[Hoop Head]

I'm with you to a point. I think it's refreshing to bring in a fresh face, however his resume does concern me. Not the quantity of his experience, but the QUALITY of it.

I'm in the same boat, actually. I do like he has a history of working with younger players and recruiting. He didn't coach at power houses in the NCAA after all. He also wasn't hired to coach. We'll see what happens here but a change was needed and time will tell if Gregory was the right hire. I feel confident saying James Jones wore out his welcome here.

 

[Proximo]

I love how many of you slam it before he's even had a day on the job. I'm willing to give him a chance. I can be critical later if I believe he's making bad decisions.

You really think putting a guy in charge as GM with no NBA work experience in the offseason where we must maximize KD's trade value is a good idea?

The NBA already thought Ishbia was an idiot, him hiring someone that has the appearance of an unqualified yes man only reinforces this perception.

This is a monumental blunder - even if this guy is competent - because the rest of the league is not going to treat him as such.

 

[Proximo]

Unqualified? He was hired. He's worked in front offices. He's as qualified as JJ was when he was hired.

As far as patience, this is the mess created by the KD and then Beal trade. We aren't competing for a championship for the next 4-5 years, once we are in control of our own destiny.

There's nothing about this move that screams incompetence. You can believe it was a bad move but the vast majority of GM's have no experience as a GM when hired.

You don't have to like it but you're creating a narrative that doesn't jive with reality.

No he is not. James Jones at least actually played in the NBA for years, was around several organizations and understands things from a players perspective. There are many aspects of a GM's job in dealing with player issues, contract negotiations, lockerroom issues etc. that James Jones is far more qualified to handle, even if he knew very little about scouting and making deals.

This dude has no NBA experience whatsoever other than the last few months. He has not been around NBA players at all, he has not communicated with other NBA GM's in any meaningful way.

It is a joke he got this job.

 

[Chaplin]

This dude has no NBA experience whatsoever other than the last few months. He has not been around NBA players at all, he has not communicated with other NBA GM's in any meaningful way.

You may be right, but that is pure speculation on your part.

 

[ASUCHRIS]

No, I don't think James Jones had a change of heart. IMO, he got what he wanted when the Suns traded for Kevin Durant.

He literally changed his position from "No Bridges" to include Bridges in the final deal right after Ish bought the team. If you think this is a coincidence, I don't even know what to tell you.

Remember, Jae Crowder sat at home during the season while the Suns desperately needed a power forward and had all their assets, including expiring contracts.

What does this have to do with anything in the discussion? Jae had an issue with Monty, and vice versa.

The Suns could have made other trades to improve the team while they struggled, yet they didn't. Why...

What other moves could they have made? They're severely capped out and have a ton of restrictions because of the second apron.

What was James Jones waiting for as the trade deadline approached?

Jimmy Butler, obviously. When that fell through, the Suns were cooked.

IMO, he was waiting for the new owner to approve the trade for Durant, which is exactly what happened.

This does not minimize Mat Ishbia's role in approving the trade. It takes two to tango.

The KD move has Ish fingerprints all over it. The subsequent addition of Beal as well. The moves made after Ish bought the team reek of Isaiah Thomas meddling.

 

[ASUCHRIS]

No he is not. James Jones at least actually played in the NBA for years, was around several organizations and understands things from a players perspective. There are many aspects of a GM's job in dealing with player issues, contract negotiations, lockerroom issues etc. that James Jones is far more qualified to handle, even if he knew very little about scouting and making deals.

This dude has no NBA experience whatsoever other than the last few months. He has not been around NBA players at all, he has not communicated with other NBA GM's in any meaningful way.

It is a joke he got this job.

Nobody is even trying to defend the hire - it's just more James Jones bashing. Anyone with any knowledge of the NBA knows that this guy is a nobody - completely unqualified and certainly not the guy to deal with the complexities of a total rebuild.

You're mostly going to get sunshine pumpers here anyway - for some real insight, listen to a guy like Kellan Olson, who actually knows what is going on in the FO, and is incredibly critical of this move. It makes no sense, but for ol boy being a buddy of Ish from college.

 

[ASUCHRIS]

Unqualified? He was hired.

LOL, he's qualified based on the fact that he was hired. That's some incredible reasoning.

He's worked in front offices.

He's worked in a front office - the Suns, for one year. Let's not lie to boost your point.

He's as qualified as JJ was when he was hired.

James Jones was president of basketball operations in 2017 - then promoted to GM 2 years later. This is not the same as Gregory in his nebulous role for less than a year being made into a GM.

There's nothing about this move that screams incompetence.

EVERYTHING about this move screams incompetence - there are a ton of reasons it's a bad one - please present one that it's a good one. I'm still waiting on the first one.

 

[Hoop Head]

LOL, he's qualified based on the fact that he was hired. That's some incredible reasoning.

What makes you qualified to question his credentials? Ever play in the NBA? How about NCAA? We both know the answer. You can claim he's unqualified but don't know what tasks he's handled.

He's worked in a front office - the Suns, for one year. Let's not lie to boost your point.

And I didn't specify NBA. I'm not lying, you fail to understand what I was saying. Being the main guy and consultant for programs gives him much more knowledge of top level basketball front offices than you have. So continue questioning his credentials.

James Jones was president of basketball operations in 2017 - then promoted to GM 2 years later. This is not the same as Gregory in his nebulous role for less than a year being made into a GM.

Jones was hired as a retired player and thrust into a GM role. He had zero coaching or front office experience. Gregory has been a top guys for numerous collegiate basketball programs and has an NCAA championship on his resume as a coach.

Jones was thrust into the GM role because Sarver was cheap and McD was awful. He didn't earn it. He was in the right place at the right time.

EVERYTHING about this move screams incompetence - there are a ton of reasons it's a bad one - please present one that it's a good one. I'm still waiting on the first one.

Yet you haven't named who you wanted and want me to defend my position further rather than you elaborating on why this is so bad. You don't have a point, you're looking to argue and want to be a doomsayer.

 

[Superbone]

You really think putting a guy in charge as GM with no NBA work experience in the offseason where we must maximize KD's trade value is a good idea?

The NBA already thought Ishbia was an idiot, him hiring someone that has the appearance of an unqualified yes man only reinforces this perception.

This is a monumental blunder - even if this guy is competent - because the rest of the league is not going to treat him as such.

We shall see.

 

[Mainstreet]

That would make very little sense also. The GM is the person who should be empowered to find the new head coach. The GM should be the one with the Vision for coach, style and players. Picking a coach and then saddling him with a GM who didn’t pick him is bassackwards.

We are in agreement then. The GM should be making the calls. The present situation appears clouded with the hire of Gregory, though. Right now it appears GM by committee.

 

[Hoop Head]

We are in agreement then. The GM should be making the calls. The present situation appears clouded with the hire of Gregory, though. Right now it appears GM by committee.

I think the most important thing is whether Ishbia will listen to Gregory. Since Gregory coached Ishbia and was well respected by Izzo, at least enough to be brought back as a consultant, then perhaps he can be the voice to save Ishbia from Zeke.

 

[Mainstreet]

I think the most important thing is whether Ishbia will listen to Gregory. Since Gregory coached Ishbia and was well respected by Izzo, at least enough to be brought back as a consultant, then perhaps he can be the voice to save Ishbia from Zeke.

A couple of early takes:

1. Mat Ishbia is putting people in place who he knows and trusts.

2. He wanted to remove James Jones from a position of power.

It's like Ishbia is laying a new foundation for the Suns, a foundation he will build upon as time passes.

 

[Mainstreet]

John Gambadora gives a breakdown on the Suns moves in his podcast.

It starts at about the 4-minute mark.

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[BirdGangThing]

jj would have been fired if it was him - this isn't hard - ish has no problem firing people - ish doesn't want a gm because he's essentially the gm

 

[Mainstreet]

I believe below is the YouTube version of the above podcast.

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[Hoop Head]

jj would have been fired if it was him - this isn't hard - ish has no problem firing people - ish doesn't want a gm because he's essentially the gm

JJ was a holdover from the Sarver regime. Ishbia didn't hire him. It was a matter of time before he was let go. Now Ishbia has his guys in place. We'll see if it works.

To say Ish doesn't want a GM though is nothing more than conjecture. None of us are privy to how the front office delegation works or has worked over the last few years.

 

[BirdGangThing]

because a failing forward ass faux gm will solve everything - gimme a freakin break with this ish

ish had one of two choices - hire a professional and leave it in their hands or continue to make the decisions himself behind some stupid wizard of oz curtain - this team has become his hobby and will continue to be made in his vision - he's already screwed us but I fear this is just the beginning

 

[Hoop Head]

because a failing forward ass faux gm will solve everything - gimme a freakin break with this ish

ish had one of two choices - hire a professional and leave it in their hands or continue to make the decisions himself behind some stupid wizard of oz curtain - this team has become his hobby and will continue to be made in his vision - he's already screwed us but I fear this is just the beginning

Fine. Check out then. Repeating "Ish" over and over again shows your level of engagement. You haven't said how Ishbia is playing GM. He hasn't been more in front than most other owners but you have a narrative that you seemingly created a gimmick to push so don't let reality get in the way.