Suns Promoting Brian Gregory to GM as James Jones Moves to Advisory Role

The Suns are making sweeping changes to their basketball operations, naming front office executive Brian Gregory as the team’s new general manager, sources told ESPN’s Shams Charania.

Gregory, who has worked closely with the organization over the past two seasons, replaces longtime GM James Jones, who is transitioning into a senior advisor role.

The move signals a clear shift in direction for a Suns franchise coming off a disappointing 36-46 campaign that ended with no playoff appearance — and no shortage of questions about the future.

Gregory, 57, has deep roots in coaching, spending 19 seasons as a college head coach at Dayton, Georgia Tech and South Florida. He also served as an assistant under Tom Izzo at Michigan State, overlapping with Suns owner Mat Ishbia’s time as a walk-on guard on the Spartans’ 2000 national title team.

Gregory’s recent work in the Phoenix front office included a key role in the scouting and drafting of 2024 picks Ryan Dunn and Oso Ighodaro. Now, he’ll take over the day-to-day basketball operations as the franchise begins what could be a transformative offseason.

Jones, who had served as GM since 2019 and won Executive of the Year in 2021, remains with the organization but steps away from personnel decision-making at a time when the Suns are also searching for a new head coach after parting ways with Mike Budenholzer.

“We just haven’t had that identity,” Ishbia said recently. “That Phoenix grit, that joy — we need to find it again.”

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