The Phoenix Suns announced on Thursday that Brian Gregory has been promoted to General Manager, and former GM James Jones will transition to a new role as senior advisor to the team.

It's a New Era in Phoenix

The team additionally announced that they elevated Oronde Taliaferro to Assistant General Manager and added basketball operations responsibilities to Paul Rivers, the Chief Innovation Officer. According to John Gambadoro of Arizona Sports, Josh Bartelstein will remain a Chief Executive Officer with the Suns.

“Brian has been a valuable member of our front office. Playing an integral role in drafting and developing our young players,” Phoenix Suns owner Mat Ishbia said in a press release. “I am excited for him to step in to the role of general manager. He is a brilliant basketball mind, and he will transform and elevate our team.”

Will the Suns Return To Championship Contenders?

The Suns missed the NBA Playoffs for the first time since 2020 after having a record of 36-46 in the regular season, in addition to the highest payroll in the NBA. They fired Mike Budenholzer as head coach last month after one lone season and will hire their fourth head coach in three years after a surprising NBA Finals run in 2021.

Questions fueled by trade rumors arose about forward Kevin Durant's future and the handling of guard Bradley Beal's contract with a no-trade clause during the offseason. Meanwhile, the team confirmed that star guard Devin Booker will not be traded, as ESPN reported.

The Suns have experienced numerous changes in player movement and front office since Ishbia took over the team as the owner in February 2023. Phoenix traded for Durant from the Brooklyn Nets on the night of the NBA Trade Deadline and Beal from the Washington Wizards in the summer.

"I want to put a team out there on the court that everyone is proud of," Ishbia said in a press conference after the Suns' season ended, according to ESPN. "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."

Less than a year ago, the Suns brought Gregory to the basketball operations staff as vice president of player programming. He has been with Phoenix front office since 2023.

Before Gregory joined the Suns' front office, he served as NCAA Division I Men's basketball head coach for Dayton, Georgia Tech and South Florida. As head coach, he compiled a win/loss record of 327-287 throughout his tenures. Gregory was also an assistant coach for four seasons with Michigan State, where Ishbia won a National Championship in 2000.

The Suns Rebuild Starts From the Top

ESPN reported that the Suns credited Gregory by selecting Ryan Dunn and Oso Ighodaro in the 2024 NBA Draft, as he assumes a more prominent day-to-day role as a general manager.

Jones first joined the Suns' front office in 2017 as Vice President of Basketball Operations, concluding his professional playing career after winning three NBA championships during his 14 year tenure. Two years later, he was promoted to general manager and was named the NBA Executive of the Year in 2021 after Phoenix made the playoffs for the first time since 2010.

After winning the award, Jones was promoted by the Suns in 2022 to a dual role as president of basketball operations and general manager. He will continue to be involved in front office decisions as a senior advisor, working closely with Gregory on personnel and team-related matters.

“James’ contributions have been instrumental to our organization, and we appreciate everything he has done for the Suns on and off the court,” Ishbia said on Jones, according to the team's press release. “We are grateful to continue to have his experience and insight.”