The Phoenix Suns announced earlier today that former vice president of player programming Brian Gregory will become the team’s general manager, while former GM James Jones will transition to a senior adviser role with the organization, according to sources who spoke to ESPN’s Shams Charania.
A former college basketball coach, Brian Gregory joined the Suns in 2023. In his previous role with the team, Gregory oversaw player personnel and scouting and was “instrumental” in the Suns’ drafting of Ryan Dunn and Oso Ighodaro.
Phoenix Suns has announced front office changes.
VP of player programming Brian Gregory is the new GM replacing James Jones, who is now their senior advisor. Oronde Taliaferro is assistant GM. Paul Rivers adds basketball operations duties to his Chief Innovation Officer role. pic.twitter.com/5tqZrgFihc
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“Brian has been a valuable member of our front office, playing an integral role in drafting and developing our young players,” said Suns owner Mat Ishbia 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.”
James Jones played in the NBA for 14 seasons before taking on an executive role with the Phoenix Suns in 2017 as the team’s vice president of basketball operations. In 2019, he was promoted to the role of general manager. In 2021, Jones was named the NBA Executive of the Year. One year later, he accepted dual roles as Phoenix’s GM and the president of basketball operations.
“James’ contributions have been instrumental to our organization, and we appreciate everything he has done for the Suns on and off the court,” said Mat Ishbia in a statement. “We are grateful to continue to have his experience and insight.”
Brian Gregory joined Suns in 2023, mostly as VP of player programming. Press release says he was “instrumental” in drafting Ryan Dunn and Oso Ighodaro. He spent 19 seasons as an NCAA coach for USF, Georgia Tech and Dayton, also a Michigan State assistant while Ishbia was there
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The Suns also announced that Oronde Taliaferro had been promoted to assistant general manager. Meanwhile, Paul Rivers will take on additional basketball operations responsibilities on top of his duties as Chief Innovation Officer. According to ArizonaSports.com’s John Gambadoro, Josh Bartelstein will continue serving as the Suns’ CEO.
“I want to put a team out there on the court that everyone is proud of,” said Ishbia in a news conference after the Suns’ season ended. “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.”
