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

[ASUCHRIS]

Not if he was instrumental in drafting Dunn, Ighodaro and perhaps Camara.

Who says he was? The Suns traded down, and it was a stroke of luck that all the rest of the GM's didn't see what was there with Dunn and Iggy. This is seriously the best you can come up with to defend the guy?

Also, I liked Collin Gillespie and Ty Ty Washington who were on two-way contracts.

Lol, with these kinds of moves, sign him to a lifetime contract!

 

[GatorAZ]

Mat Ishbia is the owner, GM and POBO. Everyone else is there to nod their heads and get paid.

 

[Mainstreet]

And who did you want? Don't say Bob Myers because that wasn't happening. We tried big names before as coaches and failed. GM is different but if someone has an eye for talent then that's key. As reported, Gregory was a key in selecting Dunn and Oso. There's other experienced guys in the front office like Bartlestein and JJ as a consultant. I can see not being excited at this move but the negativity seems premature.

Coaching and GM isn't the same either. Kerr failed here as a GM and became a top coach in GS. There's other cases of guys like Phil Jackson who failed spectacularly in New York as GM.

Yes, if the Suns are going to dig themselves out of this hole, they are going to have to excel at drafting, trades and free agency.

They will have to find hidden gems among players.

 

[ASUCHRIS]

And who did you want? Don't say Bob Myers because that wasn't happening. We tried big names before as coaches and failed. GM is different but if someone has an eye for talent then that's key. As reported, Gregory was a key in selecting Dunn and Oso. There's other experienced guys in the front office like Bartlestein and JJ as a consultant. I can see not being excited at this move but the negativity seems premature.

Coaching and GM isn't the same either. Kerr failed here as a GM and became a top coach in GS. There's other cases of guys like Phil Jackson who failed spectacularly in New York as GM.

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.

 

[ASUCHRIS]

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New "Chief Innovation Officer". Clown FO.

 

[Mainstreet]

Who says he was? The Suns traded down, and it was a stroke of luck that all the rest of the GM's didn't see what was there with Dunn and Iggy. This is seriously the best you can come up with to defend the guy?

Lol, with these kinds of moves, sign him to a lifetime contract!

It was reported Gregory was instrumental in drafting Dunn and Ighodaro by Shams Charania.

 

[ASUCHRIS]

Not if he was instrumental in drafting Dunn, Ighodaro and perhaps Camara.

He had nothing to do with Camara. Joined after Camara was drafted.

 

[ASUCHRIS]

It was reported Gregory was instrumental in drafting Dunn and Ighodaro by Shams Charania.

So that's good enough to make you think that he's qualified to navigate one of the most difficult rebuilds in current NBA history? There isn't ANYONE else out there that you think would be more qualified or better suited for the role?

 

[Mainstreet]

He had nothing to do with Camara. Joined after Camara was drafted.

People talk. It's hard for me to see James Jones was instrumental in drafting Camara late in the draft.

 

[Cheesebeef]

Brian Gregory will be the Suns new general manager.

James Jones will become a senior adviser to the Suns.

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blegh. In house crony hire. We’re reshuffling the deck chairs on the Titanic.

Just painfully stupid and a massive amount of hubris.

 

[BirdGangThing]

Brian Gregory will be the Suns new general manager.

James Jones will become a senior adviser to the Suns.

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THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT I SAID WOULD HAPPEN

 

[ASUCHRIS]

People talk. It's hard for me to see James Jones was instrumental in drafting Camara late in the draft.

People talk?

"Gregory was hired by Phoenix as the new vice president of player programming last June, a part of the new front office hires that included assistant general manager Matt Tellem. This past season was Gregory's first in not only an NBA front office but the league in general."

Gregory had nothing to do with Camara. Your speculation that Jones had nothing to do with drafting Camara is hilarious.

 

[Mainstreet]

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.

I'm not defending anything, but I think James Jones was locked into trading for Kevin Durant in 2023 and when Ishbia became the owner, he approved the trade.

Also, I think Jones was instrumental in trading for Beal and trading Ayton and Camara for little value in return.

 

[ASUCHRIS]

I'm not defending anything, but I think James Jones was locked into trading for Kevin Durant in 2023 and when Ishbia became the owner, he approved the trade.

It's fairly well known that Jones refused to trade both Bridges and Johnson for Durant. Then, Ish buys the team, and the next day they trade for Durant.

What do you think changed, Mainstreet? Do you think Jones had a sudden change of heart?

Also, I think Jones was instrumental in trading for Beal and trading Ayton and Camara for little value in return.

BASED ON WHAT?!?

 

[Chaplin]

It's fairly well known that Jones refused to trade both Bridges and Johnson for Durant. Then, Ish buys the team, and the next day they trade for Durant.

What do you think changed, Mainstreet? Do you think Jones had a sudden change of heart?

BASED ON WHAT?!?

Based on he's the GD GM.

I am so sick of this board taking responsibility for bad moves away from James Jones. If he didn't like these moves (and taking blame for them), nobody forced him to stay as GM. It's not like he needs the money.

 

[ASUCHRIS]

Based on he's the GD GM.

I am so sick of this board taking responsibility for bad moves away from James Jones. If he didn't like these moves (and taking blame for them), nobody forced him to stay as GM. It's not like he needs the money.

You clearly haven't been paying attention to anyone close to the Suns, who have very clearly been reporting that Jones is more of a figurehead, and that Ish is running the show.

The Durant situation is a crystal clear example of a meddlesome owner overriding the decisions of a GM.

 

[Hoop Head]

It's fairly well known that Jones refused to trade both Bridges and Johnson for Durant. Then, Ish buys the team, and the next day they trade for Durant.

It's not well known. We know it didn't happen until Ish got control but we also didn't have an owner at that time with Sarver suspended. Do you not believe Sarver could have put a hold on deals until he was reinstated?

You can choose to look at it how you'd like but your version of what happened is no more accurate than anyone else here's take. None of us were in the room.

 

[ASUCHRIS]

It's not well known. We know it didn't happen until Ish got control but we also didn't have an owner at that time with Sarver suspended. Do you not believe Sarver could have put a hold on deals until he was reinstated?

You can choose to look at it how you'd like but your version of what happened is no more accurate than anyone else here's take. None of us were in the room.

If you can't put two and two together...well, that's not much of a surprise.

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Why Suns Should Keep GM James Jones

PHOENIX -- Change is inevitable in the life of an NBA franchise. The Phoenix Suns are no different in the grand scheme of the concept. The 2024-25 Suns were qu

www.si.com

Why James Jones' future with Suns factors into potential Bob Myers pursuit

James Jones' future factors heavily into the Suns' decision to fully pursue former general manager Bob Myers.

clutchpoints.com

Suns promote Brian Gregory to GM, replace James Jones

Brian Gregory is the Phoenix Suns' new GM, while James Jones and the front office is reshaped under owner Mat Ishbia.

arizonasports.com

 

[Chaplin]

You clearly haven't been paying attention to anyone close to the Suns, who have very clearly been reporting that Jones is more of a figurehead, and that Ish is running the show.

The Durant situation is a crystal clear example of a meddlesome owner overriding the decisions of a GM.

Jesus. Have a good day to you too.

 

[Chaplin]

If you can't put two and two together...well, that's not much of a surprise.

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Why Suns Should Keep GM James Jones

PHOENIX -- Change is inevitable in the life of an NBA franchise. The Phoenix Suns are no different in the grand scheme of the concept. The 2024-25 Suns were qu

www.si.com

Why James Jones' future with Suns factors into potential Bob Myers pursuit

James Jones' future factors heavily into the Suns' decision to fully pursue former general manager Bob Myers.

clutchpoints.com

Suns promote Brian Gregory to GM, replace James Jones

Brian Gregory is the Phoenix Suns' new GM, while James Jones and the front office is reshaped under owner Mat Ishbia.

arizonasports.com

That Windhorst quote reads like JJ was into the trade, but would have preferred to figure it out without Bridges included.

Well, duh.

 

[Raindog]

I am on both sides of the foregoing argument. I wish they had gone outside the organization to find a new GM. Keeping all of the same guys but just giving them new titles doesn't fill me with confidence at all, whichever one they decide to call "GM."

But yeah, believing that James Jones wasn't at minimum, fully in agreement with all of the stupidity is disingenuous at minimum. And there is plenty of evidence he drove much of it, even going back to before Ishbia was even the owner. To summarize that, JJ was not a good GM, at all.

And the upshot of what happens now is that with Jones as an "advisor," it seems highly likely that the personnel philosophy is likely to be the same as what got us in this mess. And it means Ishbia tacitly cannot admit he was wrong.

 

[GatorAZ]

If you can't put two and two together...well, that's not much of a surprise.

xc_hide_links_from_guests_guests_error_hide_media

Why Suns Should Keep GM James Jones

PHOENIX -- Change is inevitable in the life of an NBA franchise. The Phoenix Suns are no different in the grand scheme of the concept. The 2024-25 Suns were qu

www.si.com

Why James Jones' future with Suns factors into potential Bob Myers pursuit

James Jones' future factors heavily into the Suns' decision to fully pursue former general manager Bob Myers.

clutchpoints.com

Suns promote Brian Gregory to GM, replace James Jones

Brian Gregory is the Phoenix Suns' new GM, while James Jones and the front office is reshaped under owner Mat Ishbia.

arizonasports.com

Woj reported this in the moment less clearly but it came off the same way.
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Suns land Durant from Nets in blockbuster deal

Phoenix is acquiring Brooklyn's Kevin Durant and T.J. Warren in exchange for Mikal Bridges, Cam Johnson, Jae Crowder, four first-round picks and a 2028 pick swap.

www.espn.com

 

[Hoop Head]

If you can't put two and two together...well, that's not much of a surprise.

xc_hide_links_from_guests_guests_error_hide_media

Why Suns Should Keep GM James Jones

PHOENIX -- Change is inevitable in the life of an NBA franchise. The Phoenix Suns are no different in the grand scheme of the concept. The 2024-25 Suns were qu

www.si.com

Why James Jones' future with Suns factors into potential Bob Myers pursuit

James Jones' future factors heavily into the Suns' decision to fully pursue former general manager Bob Myers.

clutchpoints.com

Suns promote Brian Gregory to GM, replace James Jones

Brian Gregory is the Phoenix Suns' new GM, while James Jones and the front office is reshaped under owner Mat Ishbia.

arizonasports.com

First article links to the second which doesn't mention that he didn't want to do the KD deal.

He has overseen many issues here. From failing to provide depth at PF and C, failing to manage Ayton's extension and then bungling his trade, missing entirely on Jalen Smith over Haliburton, letting Crowder sit for half the season and tanking his value, his noted disdain for the draft, and that's just part of it until KD comes here. These things happened. Because the Suns got close makes no difference, IMO. They didn't get the job done and beyond that they had multiple chips fall their way to get there. Starting with Chris Paul asking to be traded to Phoenix. Good work, JJ! He isn't proactive, he's reactive and that has failed the team time and time again under his tenure.

 

[BirdGangThing]

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[ASUCHRIS]

I am on both sides of the foregoing argument. I wish they had gone outside the organization to find a new GM. Keeping all of the same guys but just giving them new titles doesn't fill me with confidence at all, whichever one they decide to call "GM."

But yeah, believing that James Jones wasn't at minimum, fully in agreement with all of the stupidity is disingenuous at minimum. And there is plenty of evidence he drove much of it, even going back to before Ishbia was even the owner. To summarize that, JJ was not a good GM, at all.

And the upshot of what happens now is that with Jones as an "advisor," it seems highly likely that the personnel philosophy is likely to be the same as what got us in this mess. And it means Ishbia tacitly cannot admit he was wrong.

Let me be clear - I wasn't in favor of retaining Jones, and I think his time had passed here. I'm mostly pissed that we're in dire need of a serious resume to take care of our roster mess, and we hired a guy who is laughably qualified.

Brian Gregory resume:

College Coach - average to below average.

College Talent Evaluation - 20 years in college, coached 5 NBA players. Brian Roberts, backup PG is his best move.

What makes him the guy for the job? His NBA experience in totality is from last year June, and his position as "VP of Player Programming" is completely nebulous. The only thing you can even point to in terms of responsibility is the fact that he is getting at least partial credit for the Dunn/Oso picks. That's it.

You're not hiring him based on his performance in college. You're not hiring him for the next to nothing he's done in the NBA. So what is the most logical reasoning for this move?

This is a joke of a hire, and does nothing to quell the feeling that Ishbia is far too meddlesome.

Ishbia promised big changes in the FO this offseason, and that has turned into a reshuffling of the deck, with nobody getting fired, and the same cast back.