The Phoenix Suns’ list of finalists for their open head-coaching job includes Cleveland assistants Johnnie Bryant and Jordan Ott, as well as Miami Heat assistant Chris Quinn and Dallas Mavericks assistant Sean Sweeney, reports Arizona Sports’ John Gambadoro.
That list of finalists could grow to five.
Who are the 4 known finalists for the Phoenix Suns’ head-coaching job?
Bryant, the associate head coach for the Cavaliers, has been an assistant for the Utah Jazz (2012-20) and New York Knicks (2021-24) prior to landing on Kenny Atkinson’s staff this season.
Bryant has garnered credit for helping develop Donovan Mitchell in Utah after the two-guard was viewed as a high-ceiling project pick in the draft. Former Knicks forward Julius Randle also gave Bryant a hat tip for his brutally honest assessment about Randle’s leadership.
Ott has gained knowledge from Mike Budenholzer with the Atlanta Hawks (2013-16); Atkinson, Jacque Vaughn and Steve Nash on the Brooklyn Nets (2016-22); and Darvin Ham with the Los Angeles Lakers (2022-24). He should have familiarity with Suns assistant GM Matt Tellem during his run in Brooklyn from 2016-22.
Ott also spent five years as a Michigan State video coordinator, something of note with Phoenix owner Mat Ishbia’s and new general manager Brian Gregory’s ties to the school.
Quinn’s NBA playing experience from 2006-13 is unique among the rest of the reported Suns head-coaching candidates.
He is viewed as the embodiment of “Heat Culture” and Erik Spoelstra’s right-hand man. That means something working under the most accomplished current NBA coach now that Gregg Popovich has stepped aside in San Antonio.
Quinn began his coaching career with Northwestern in 2013-14 and has since been with Miami.
Sweeney has been tied to Dallas head coach Jason Kidd since his days coaching the Brooklyn Nets, where he began his coaching career as a video coordinator in 2013-14.
He followed Kidd to the Milwaukee Bucks and later landed back with the head coach in Dallas, where he has built a reputation as a defensive mind.