Suns Announce Executive Changes: Gregory Promoted to New General Manager Jones Becomes Senior Advisor

On May 2, Beijing time, the Phoenix Suns announced changes to the basketball operations department: Vice President Brian Gregory was promoted to the team's new general manager, and James Jones was transformed into the team's senior advisor.

At the same time, the Suns also promoted Taglia Ferro to assistant general manager and added basketball operations responsibilities to Chief Innovation Officer Paul Rivers. Gregory, who spent 20 years as a head coach in the NCAA, has worked closely with Suns management over the past two years to play a key role in selecting Ryan Dern and Oso Igdalo in the 2024 draft, and now he's in a more important day-to-day management role.

Suns owner Matt Ishbia said in a statement: "Bryan [Gregory] has been a valued member of our management and has played an integral role in rookie selection and young player development. I am delighted that he will take over as General Manager. He has a deep understanding of basketball and will lead the team to change and improve. ”

Jones has been the Suns' general manager since 2019, winning Manager of the Year in 2020-2021 and leading the team to the playoffs four seasons in a row. Jones played for the Suns as a player from 2005 to 2007 before returning to the team in 2017. Ishbia added: "James' [Jones' contributions] have been crucial for our team and we are very grateful for all he has done for the Suns on and off the court. I am excited to continue to draw on his experience and insights. ”

This season, the Suns are in 11th place in the West with a 36-46 record. This summer, the team ushered in a major change, firing head coach Mike Budenholzer on April 15 and restructuring the basketball operations. According to sources, the Suns will soon begin a large-scale, all-encompassing selection of new head coaches.

Speaking at a press conference after the season, owner Ishbia said: "I want to build a team that everyone can be proud of, a team that has its own character, like the city of Phoenix – resilient, determined, fighting and happy for the fans." At the moment, we haven't done that. ”

Gregory has extensive experience in basketball, having spent 19 years as a college basketball head coach at the University of Dayton, Georgia Institute of Technology, and the University of South Florida. He also served as Tom Izzo's assistant coach at Michigan State University from 1999 to 2003, and Ishbia was the point guard at the school's National Championship in 2000.

Taglia Ferro has spent the last 15 years as an NBA scout for the Brooklyn Nets and Detroit Pistons, and last season he served as the Suns' director of scouting. Prior to joining the Pistons, he also served as a college assistant coach at the University of Oklahoma, the University of Arkansas, and Kent State University.

Paul Rivers has over 25 years of sports management experience, having held basketball management roles with the Oklahoma City Thunder.