Jordan Ott Is Quietly Building Something Special in Phoenix - And It Might Just Be Coach of the Year Worthy
It’s still early in the season, but if you’ve been paying attention to what’s happening in Phoenix, you know something’s brewing under head coach Jordan Ott. Hired to bring structure and identity to a Suns team that had lost its way, Ott has done more than steady the ship - he’s charting a new course entirely. And while he may not be the frontrunner in the Coach of the Year race just yet, it’s time we start taking his candidacy seriously.
A Team Identity, Finally Taking Shape
When Mat Ishbia took over as Suns owner, he made it clear: this team wasn’t going to be a defensive doormat anymore. That promise is starting to show up in real-time under Ott’s leadership. Through roughly a quarter of the season, the Suns are playing above league average on both ends of the floor - something few expected from a roster many thought was top-heavy and defensively vulnerable.
Ott’s impact has been immediate and tangible. He’s instilled a sense of purpose on both sides of the ball, and more importantly, he’s done it with a roster that didn’t exactly scream “defensive juggernaut” on paper.
Players like Grayson Allen and Royce O’Neale - known more for their shooting and toughness than lockdown defense - have bought in and are contributing on that end in meaningful ways. That’s not just effort; that’s coaching.
Smart Rotations, Savvy Decisions
One of Ott’s most impressive moves so far? Elevating Collin Gillespie into the starting lineup.
Gillespie is having a breakout campaign, and while the guard deserves plenty of credit for his own development, Ott saw the fit and had the confidence to make the call. That kind of awareness - knowing when to lean into a player’s momentum - is the kind of subtle coaching move that doesn’t always show up in the box score but pays dividends over time.
Ott’s also leaned into veteran experience to secure wins, a necessary approach for a team that doesn’t control its own draft picks in the coming years. That strategy might mean fewer minutes for rookies like Khaman Maluach in the short term, but it’s a calculated move. Ott is playing the hand he’s been dealt with clarity and purpose - and he’s winning with it.
Keeping Booker Engaged - and Leading
Let’s not overlook the importance of keeping a star like Devin Booker engaged and invested. Ott has managed that relationship with poise, allowing Booker to continue thriving as the face of the franchise while integrating new pieces around him. That kind of balance is crucial for any first-year head coach, especially one stepping into a team with postseason aspirations and limited patience.
A Culture Shift in The Valley
What Ott is doing in Phoenix isn’t flashy - and that’s exactly why it’s working. He’s building a culture of accountability, effort, and cohesion.
For a franchise that’s cycled through coaching changes since parting ways with Monty Williams, Ott feels like a long-term solution. He’s not just managing games - he’s managing people, expectations, and the weight of a franchise trying to stay competitive in a loaded Western Conference.
The Suns are starting to get noticed again, and while national attention is still catching up, fans in Phoenix already see the difference. Ott has earned their trust - and that’s no small feat in a market that’s seen its fair share of false starts.
**Coach of the Year? Maybe.
A Coach Worth Believing In? Absolutely.
**
Whether or not Ott ends up with hardware at the end of the season is still to be determined. But if we’re talking about exceeding expectations, maximizing talent, and establishing a real identity - Jordan Ott is checking all the boxes. He’s doing the hard stuff well, and he’s doing it with a team that many had written off before the season even began.
Coach of the Year or not, Phoenix may have just found its guy. And that might be the biggest win of all.