On Tuesday, the Phoenix Suns introduced their new general manager, Brian Gregory, to the media for the first time. After an abysmal 2024-25 NBA season, there are a lot of areas the Suns need to address over the summer. Following the campaign’s end, the franchise quickly moved on from head coach Mike Budenholzer when they fired him.
James Jones was demoted as general manager and appointed as a senior advisor as part of the Suns’ strategy. He was replaced by Gregory, who was hired in 2024 as the vice president of player programming. During his introductory presser, the new face of the front office expressed how loyal he is to majority owner Mat Ishbia.
“Mat and I are a team,” Gregory said. “We are completely aligned. As a general manager, my job and my responsibility is to oversee the day-to-day operations of us, basketball-wise. I report to Mat Ishbia.”
“Mat and I are a team… we are completely aligned… I report to Mat Ishbia.” pic.twitter.com/h4w0FUBmyA
— PHNX Suns (@PHNX_Suns) May 6, 2025
During his presser, he bluntly credited Ishiba for being the new general manager of the Suns. He told the media that the owner is one of the reasons why he’s replacing Jones. Gregory also said he shares the same values, work ethic and they’ve been through a lot together. The executive said they share a mutual trust as they try to lead the Suns together.
Gregory also said that he wants to make Ishbia’s vision a reality.
“One of the things he talked about was doing things different and making some changes, not being the same as everybody else. It’s about building that alignment, it’s about creating that identity and it’s about executing that vision,” he added.
“For me, that’s why I’m here. To do exactly that. To execute that vision.”
New Suns GM Brian Gregory said his job is to execute the vision of Mat Ishbia. #Suns pic.twitter.com/qgxqkW4qJ2
— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) May 6, 2025
Gregory highlights the communication with the Phoenix Suns players
Heading into the offseason, Gregory spoke highly about his plans to communicate more with the players. According to him, it’s a key factor for the Phoenix Suns moving forward.
“No one’s going to out-work me,” Gregory said. “I think that’s a skill, that’s a talent… [Ishbia and I] are going to think differently, we’re going to be unified in our approach on a daily basis. And when you do that, then the results speak for themselves.”
“That collaborative effort within the NBA is becoming more and more crucial for success,” said Gregory. “… If you’re not in touch with [the players] and communicating with them, I think it can put you in a difficult spot.”
The general manager kept talking about the identity that Ishbia wants to build. However, they haven’t explained the kind of identity they want the Phoenix Suns to have for the new era of the organization.
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Reign also writes NBA and WNBA news updates on Sportskeeda. He started as a feature writer for AirAlamo, an NBA website that covers the San Antonio Spurs. Some of his work can also be seen on Valley of the Suns, a Phoenix Suns-centric website, where he served as a contributing writer.
