Suns officially announces executive changes: Gregory is promoted to new general manager Jones is changed to senior consultant

On May 2, the Phoenix Suns announced changes in the basketball operations department: Vice President Brian Gregory was promoted to the team's new general manager, while James Jones transformed to serve as senior consultant for the team. At the same time, the Suns also promoted Taliafero to Assistant General Manager and added basketball operations responsibilities to Chief Innovation Officer Paul Rivers. Gregory, who has been a head coach for 20 years in the NCAA, has worked closely with the Suns management over the past two years to play a key role in selecting Ryan Dunn and Oso Igudaro at the 2024 draft, and now he will hold more important daily management positions.

Suns owner Matt Ishbiya said in a statement: "Brian (Gregory) has always been an important member of our management and plays an indispensable role in rookie selection and young player training. I am very happy that he has taken over as general manager. He has a deep understanding of basketball and will surely lead the team to change and improve."

Since 2019, Jones has served as the General Manager of the Suns, and has won the 2020-2021 season Manager of the Year, and has led the team to the playoffs for four consecutive seasons. From 2005 to 2007, Jones played for the Suns as a player, and he returned to the team in 2017. Ishbiya added: "James's contribution is crucial to our team and we are very grateful for everything he has done for the Suns on and off the court. It's great to continue to use his experience and insights." The Suns ranked 11th in the Western Conference with a record of 36 wins and 46 losses this season. This summer, the team ushered in major changes, dismissing head coach Mike Budenholzer on April 15 and reorganized the basketball operations department. According to sources, the Suns will soon start a large-scale and all-round selection of new head coaches. After the season ended, the team owner Ishbiya said at a press conference: "I want to build a team that everyone is proud of. This team must have its own characteristics and be like the city of Phoenix - tenacious, determined, fighting spirit, and bring happiness to the fans. At present, we have not done this."

Gregory has extensive experience in basketball and has served as head coach of college basketball at the University of Dayton, Georgia Tech and the University of South Florida for 19 years. From 1999 to 2003, he also served as Tom Izzo's assistant coach at Michigan State University, and Ishbiya was the point guard when the school won the All-American Championship in 2000, and the two had an intersection during this period.

Taliafero has served as NBA scout for the Brooklyn Nets and the Detroit Pistons in the past 15 years, and he served as the scout director for the Suns last season. Prior to joining the Pistons, he also worked as a college assistant coach at the University of Oklahoma, the University of Arkansas and Kent State.

Paul Rivers has more than 25 years of sports management experience and has served in basketball management positions with the Oklahoma City Thunder.