Rumors

Marc J. Spears: The NBA names three-time NBA champion James Jones has been appointed Executive Vice President, Head of Basketball Operations. Jones joins the league office after working the last eight seasons in the Phoenix Suns and replaces Joe Dumars.

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Chris Haynes: BREAKING: James Jones is departing Phoenix Suns to replace Joe Dumars at NBA office to become league’s new Executive Vice President, Head of Basketball Operations, sources tell me.

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Chris Haynes: James Jones, 2021 Executive of the Year who engineered a Suns roster that went to the NBA Finals that same season, was recently transitioned from GM to senior advisor. Huge pickup for the NBA.

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Shams Charania: The Phoenix Suns are naming a new head of basketball operations, promoting vice president Brian Gregory as the franchise’s new general manager, sources tell ESPN. James Jones, the Suns GM since 2019, will transition to a role as senior advisor for the franchise.

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Gerald Bourguet: Officially official: Suns name Brian Gregory as their new GM, James Jones will move into an advisory role. Statement from Mat Ishbia: “Brian has been a valuable member of our front office, playing an integral role in drafting and developing our young players”

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Gerald Bourguet: Suns also announce Oronde Taliaferro as assistant GM and Paul Rivers as Chief Innovation Officer Ishbia statement on James Jones: “James’ contributions have been instrumental to our organization, and we appreciate everything he has done for the Suns on and off the court”

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Marc Stein: Revamping his front office from within, rather than dragging out a Bob Myers pursuit, accelerates Ishbia’s stated first step. Then Phoenix can ramp up its coach search. As @JakeLFischer and I wrote Sunday, TBD what Suns role James Jones retains. More: https://tinyurl.com/4338hurk

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Word is that James Jones, whose contract as the Suns' lead decision-maker expires in June, has to this point been operating as the point guard for the Phoenix coaching search.

marcstein.substack.com

Once that identity is set, the Suns’ first order of business will be turning their attention to the front office and likely revamping it. Whether James Jones is the right fit there remains to be seen, per multiple sources. More than likely, the Suns will either let Jones walk when his contract expires in June or keep him on in an advisory role to consult with whatever new general manager they hire.

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One source mentioned that Phoenix values Jones’ eye for talent and the perspective he brings to the table as a former player, but it feels like his days of being one of the chief voices on the basketball side may be over — or at least look slightly different — soon.

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As for Josh Bartelstein, one source assured PHNX Sports that he will remain as CEO. However, if Jones is no longer the Suns’ general manager and a new GM is brought in to be the main decision-maker, that would likely require less input from Bartelstein on the basketball side than he was contributing with James Jones in that position.

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Sources informed The Arizona Republic earlier this week the Suns will likely look to add someone to the front office. They currently have James Jones working a general manager and team president and CEO Josh Bartelstein. The two have collaborated with team owner Mat Ishbia on basketball personnel decisions, but sources also informed The Republic that Ishbia has been “pushing hard” to get Myers.

Arizona Republic

Another variable to monitor here: Suns lead executive James Jones is working on an expiring contract that only runs through June. Ishbia was non-committal Thursday during his end-of-the-season news conference about Jones remaining in that role; league sources say Ishbia could elect to bring in a new top executive before hiring a coach.

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Duane Rankin: "That hasn't changed. The fact that we aren't where we want to be from a winning perspective means that we have to look at everything, but a lot of changes that we'll be in the best interest of the team." Suns GM James Jones when asked offseason plan with Kevin Durant. #Suns pic.x.com/73WyYlJpbw

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