Jordan Ott was formally announced as the new head coach of the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday, and his introductory press conference with the media was a positive one. The franchise has been here before with new hires - both Frank Vogel and Mike Budenholzer said all of the right things at this early point in their respective tenures - but it was still nice to see Ott lay out his vision for the team.
Devin Booker looks like he is going to get his wish from Ott right out the gate - an excellent development in keeping the superstar engaged in The Valley - while it is hard not to enjoy watching a first time head coach navigate a press conference like this for the first time. The optimism was clear for all to see both from him and General Manager Brian Gregory.
Ott has already added a key assistant to his coaching staff.
The next order of business was always going to be filling out his bench with assistants - and while the Suns took their time in bring Ott into the fold - he has done anything but in naming one of his top assistants. With Tom Thibodeau surprisingly given his marching orders from the New York Knicks, some pondered if he could be a late, Royal Rumble like addition to the crew.
That hasn't happened yet - and isn't likely to either - although there may yet still be room for David Fizdale. He has been part of the last two coaching staffs and appears to have a good relationship with Booker and company, so it would make sense to keep him around. Fizdale surprisingly advanced further than anticipated in the head coach search, but having him as an assistant again feels right.
JUST IN: Phoenix Suns coach Jordan Ott has added DeMarre Carroll as an assistant coach on his bench, league sources told @hoopshype. Ott coached Carroll with the Brooklyn Nets and both worked together as assistant coaches for the Los Angeles Lakers and Cleveland Cavaliers. pic.twitter.com/MWgEJc20qB
— Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) June 12, 2025
But it is DeMarre Carroll - one of the names we had already mentioned as a possible addition - who looks to link back up with Ott again, only this time in Phoenix. The pair were assistants with the Cleveland Cavaliers last season - and according to Michael Scotto of Hoopshype - they will be continuing their coaching work together.
This is a smart move from Ott, having a familiar face he trusts next to him as he navigates what is sure to be a testing season next year. If results don't come quickly then fans are going to have their backs up, while Kevin Durant isn't expected to be around either. Trying to cobble together a roster while Bradley Beal is still an important part of it is not an enviable task either, although not impossible.
Brian Gregory surveyed Suns players as well as other players and coaches to figure out what a successful NBA head coach looks like right now. Steve Nash told him, “Substance commands the room,” and as the Suns went through each box, they thought, “That’s Jordan Ott.” pic.twitter.com/w5pt1ipipx
— Gerald Bourguet (@GeraldBourguet) June 11, 2025
The relationship between Ott and Carroll goes back even further than last season, and both were assistants with the Los Angeles Lakers as well. Perhaps most importantly, Ott was on the coaching staff with the Brooklyn Nets while Carroll was a player there. Getting that kind of first hand experience on how he coaches and then wanting to coach alongside him is not nothing.
Carroll could also become the natural go-between players and coaching staff - in much the same way Fizdale has been at times - in what is another positive sign that things could change in Phoenix. This might not feel like a lot, but it is an important step in Ott shaping the Suns in his vision - which if they want him to stick around long-term - is massive.