The Phoenix Suns have made Brian Gregory’s promotion to general manager official. This announcement completes a historic leadership transition for the advocacy organization. Gregory had previously held the role of vice president of basketball operations. Going forward, he will play a much higher profile role, managing the transition’s day-to-day operations. This change comes in the midst of a larger restructuring effort within the Suns’ basketball operations after a dismal season.
Gregory has worked closely with the Suns’ front office for the past two years, contributing significantly to the team’s strategic decisions. Additionally, he was instrumental in the 2024 draft class selections of Ryan Dunn and Oso Ighodaro. This move involved as much exceptional talent evaluation as player development, with Yan becoming the NBA’s third Chinese player.
James Jones, general manager since 2019, received Executive of the Year honors for the 2020-21 season. Now, he is transitioning to a senior advisor role. Under Jones’s watch, the Suns took tremendous steps forward, leading the team to four straight playoff runs. They ended last season in 36-46, good enough for 11th in the West. In order to address these shifts, the organization decided to completely reorganize its leadership and programmatic focus.
Prior to joining the Suns, Gregory built up 19 seasons of experience as a program-building head coach in college basketball. He’s had a hand in runs at high-major programs like Dayton, Georgia Tech and South Florida. His deep experience in coaching will serve him well as things get bumpy in their transition.
The Suns not only searched for new leadership, but an identity change to help them find a way forward on the court. Owner Mat Ishbia emphasized the need for a team that embodies grit, determination, and work ethic, stating, “It has to have an identity — an identity similar to Phoenix. Some grit, some determination, some work ethic, some grind, some joy. We just haven’t had that.”
Ishbia said he had no doubt that Gregory would help cultivate this vibe and turn their roster into a winning, competitive one. “I want to put a team out there on the court that everyone is proud of,” he said.
With Gregory steering the ship, the Suns are beginning an exciting new chapter. Fans and analysts alike can’t wait to see how these changes translate to the field for one of last year’s worst performing teams heading into this upcoming season.
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