Shams: The new Suns coach will be generated from Cavaliers assistant coach Bryant + Ultra

According to well-known sports journalist Shams Charania, the new Suns head coach will emerge from two assistant coaches of the Cavaliers, namely Cavaliers deputy coach Johnnie Bryant and assistant coach Jordan Ott. Sources told Shams Charania that the two candidates will travel to Michigan later this week to meet with Suns owner Matt Ishbiya, team CEO Josh Bartelstein and new general manager Brian Gregory.

This means the Cavaliers may lose a core assistant after winning the Eastern Conference's best 64 wins this season. Both Bryant and Ott were recruited by the Cavaliers’ new coach and coach of the year Kenny Atkinson last summer. Data shows that the Cavaliers rank first in the league in offensive efficiency this season and ranked eighth in defensive efficiency.

Ott has worked in the coaching staff of the Hawks (2013-16), Nets (2016-22) and Lakers (2022-24); Johnny Bryant has served as assistant coach for the Utah Jazz (2012-20) and the New York Knicks (2020-24).

The Suns have started a comprehensive and meticulous coach recruitment process since the firing of Mike Budenholzer in April. The multi-round interview process led by new general manager Gregory initially involved more than 15 candidates, with about 8 entering the second round, including Bryant, Ultra, Heat assistant Chris Quinn, Mavericks assistant Sean Sweeney, Thunder assistant Dave Bliss and current Suns assistant David Fizdale - all six of them met with the team's management last week.

In addition, Shams Charania also mentioned in his report that Suns star Devin Booker has also participated in the coach selection in the past 7 to 10 days.

The Suns are the only team in the NBA that has vacant head coach position recently, so they have plenty of time to patiently select. This season, their record is 36 wins and 46 losses, and they will usher in their fourth head coach in four years in the future.