### Phoenix Suns Shake Up Front Office: James Jones Transitioned to Senior Advisor, Brian Gregory Takes Over as General Manager The Phoenix Suns have made significant changes to their front office, officially replacing long-time general manager James Jones with Brian Gregory, who has been promoted from his role as vice president of player programming. This transition comes after a disappointing season for the Suns, marking a pivotal moment in the franchise's direction as they aim to revamp their operations and improve their performance in the upcoming season. Jones, who has been with the organization since 2019, will now serve as a senior advisor, allowing him to remain involved with the team while stepping back from day-to-day management responsibilities [https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/suns-promote-brian-gregory-to-general-manager-james-jones-moved-to-senior-advisor-role]. ### Overview of the Front Office Changes 1. **Promotion of Brian Gregory**: - Brian Gregory has been elevated to the position of general manager, taking over from James Jones. Gregory joined the Suns last offseason and has a background in coaching at the collegiate level [https://www.yardbarker.com/general_sports/articles/suns_promote_vp_brian_gregory_to_new_head_of_basketball_operations/s1_17087_42136866]. 2. **James Jones' New Role**: - James Jones, who has served as the general manager since 2019, will transition to a senior advisor role. This change allows him to provide guidance without being involved in daily operations [https://www.abc15.com/sports/suns-promote-brian-gregory-to-gm-james-jones-reassigned]. 3. **Impact of the Changes**: - The Suns are undergoing a significant front office shakeup following a season that was deemed one of the most disappointing in franchise history. The organization is looking to revitalize its approach and improve its competitive standing [https://www.newsday.com/sports/basketball/suns-brian-gregory-mat-ishbia-p29510]. ### Supporting Evidence of the Transition - **James Jones' Tenure**: - Jones has been with the Suns since 2019 and was promoted to president of basketball operations in 2022. His transition to a senior advisor role marks a significant shift in the team's leadership structure [https://sports.yahoo.com/article/james-jones-moved-aside-suns-000000056.html]. - **Brian Gregory's Background**: - Gregory has nearly 20 years of coaching experience in college basketball, including stints at Dayton, Georgia Tech, and South Florida. His promotion is seen as a strategic move to leverage his experience in player development [https://www.yardbarker.com/general_sports/articles/suns_promote_brian_gregory_to_general_manager/s1_14822_42136865]. - **Urgency for Change**: - The Suns' ownership, led by Mat Ishbia, has indicated that changes were necessary following a lackluster season. The promotion of Gregory is the first major step in a broader strategy to enhance the team's performance [https://www.si.com/nba/suns-new-general-manager-brian-gregory-still-searching-head-coach]. ### Conclusion: A New Era for the Phoenix Suns In summary, the Phoenix Suns are entering a new era with the promotion of Brian Gregory to general manager and the reassignment of James Jones to a senior advisor role. This strategic shift aims to address the challenges faced during a disappointing season and to set a new course for the franchise. 1. **Leadership Change**: Brian Gregory is now at the helm as general manager, bringing fresh perspectives to the front office. 2. **James Jones' Advisory Role**: Jones remains with the organization, providing his insights and experience in a less hands-on capacity. 3. **Focus on Improvement**: The Suns are committed to revitalizing their operations and enhancing their competitiveness in the league. These changes reflect the organization's commitment to evolving and improving, with the hope of returning to playoff contention in the near future [https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6327408/2025/05/01/suns-brian-gregory-general-manager-promotion].