Phoenix Suns Overhaul Front Office, Brian Gregory Promoted to GM, James Jones Shifts to Advisor Role

The Phoenix Suns have decided to restructure their front office in the aftermath of an underwhelming season. In an announcement made on Thursday, Brian Gregory ascended as the new general manager, replacing James Jones, who is set to adopt a senior advisor role. This move, captured by FOX 10 Phoenix, is part of a broader strategy to recalibrate the organization after a season that fell far short of the anticipated success.

Suns owner Mat Ishbia, in a statement obtained by FOX 10 Phoenix, highlighted the contributions of both the incoming and outgoing GMs, “Brian has been a valuable member of our front office, playing an integral role in drafting and developing our young players,” and expressing confidence in Gregory's capabilities, “He is a brilliant basketball mind, and he will transform and elevate our team." Jones, who has been with the Suns since 2017 and stepped into the GM role in 2019, will continue to impart his experience and insight to the franchise in a new capacity.

Further details from the NBA's official report give a glance at the reshaped Suns' front office, which includes Oronde Taliaferro stepping up as the new assistant general manager. Meanwhile, Paul Rivers, who already holds the position of Chief Innovation Officer, will now also dabble with basketball operations responsibilities, indicating a drive towards blending innovation with traditional basketball management.

Gregory, a seasoned player in the realm of college basketball coaching before joining the Suns' ranks in 2023, was instrumental in acquiring promising rookies Ryan Dunn and Oso Ighodaro in the previous draft. His connections run deep, having shared court time with Ishbia at Michigan State. Now, as general manager, Gregory faces the daunting challenge of navigating decisions surrounding high-profile players, such as Kevin Durant, a trade asset with untold potential for reshaping the team's future.

The stakes for the Suns' recovery are high, especially when considering the disappointment spurred by a roster sporting the likes of All-Stars Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal that managed only a 36-46 finish, missing the playoffs.