Phoenix Suns introduce new general manager Brian Gregory
PHOENIX (AZFamily) — The Phoenix Suns introduced on Tuesday one of their newest top decision makers in the front office. The team held an introductory news conference for Brian Gregory, who was officially named general manager last Thursday.
“30 years of basketball has brought me to this position,” said Gregory. “And I’m excited about this opportunity in front of me.”
Gregory took over for James Jones, who was moved to a senior advisor role, earlier this month. Gregory was a men’s college basketball head coach for 19 years, including stints at the University of South Florida and Georgia Tech, before he joined the Suns’ front office in 2023 as vice president of player programming.
The franchise said he was “instrumental” in selecting Suns rookies Ryan Dunn and Oso Ighodaro in the 2024 NBA draft. Gregory was an assistant coach under Tom Izzo at Michigan State University from 1999 to 2003, where they won the 2000 NCAA championship. The Suns’ majority owner, Mat Ishbia, was also at MSU from 1999 to 2002 and was on the championship team.
“I love Phoenix. I love this community. And I’m very, very excited about what’s next and what we’re going to build here.” Gregory said. “I understand Mat has trusted me with the responsibility of building alignment within this organization; and also with the opportunity to shape our identity.”
The team got rid of head coach Mike Budenholzer on April 14 after only one year on the job. He’s the third Suns coach to be fired in three years. The team is still looking for a replacement. Gregory will also have to decide what to do with Durant and try to trade Bradley Beal.
“My main focus right now is hiring the next head coach of the Phoenix Suns, and hiring a great one,” he said. “I’m not going to give a timetable because I want to make sure we get this right. This is very, very critical for us, moving forward.”
Gregory said he wants someone aligned with his and Ishbia’s vision for the Phoenix Suns. They want gritty and a grinder who brings that out of what Gregory calls an already talented roster. “When our fans leave the arena, here’s what I want them saying: ‘Man that team plays hard. That is the most unselfish team I’ve ever seen. Did you see that second and third effort that team made on the defensive end? Every loose ball that team was on the floor. That team looks like they enjoy playing with each other. They play with joy. They play with juice. They play with all the things.’ That’s identity,” said Gregory. “People feel it. With our roster, and the roster we’re going to build and if they feel it, things are going to be very good.”
The front office shake-up comes after the Suns finished the 2024-2025 season with a dismal 36-46 record, which will go into the history books as one of the most disappointing seasons ever. The squad had championship dreams with their Big 3 of Devin Booker, Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal but fell way short.
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