Longtime Phoenix Suns executive James Jones has been appointed the NBA’s executive vice president, head of basketball operations, the league announced Wednesday.
Jones, 44, was the chief architect in Phoenix’s 2021 run to the NBA Finals, where the Suns lost to the Milwaukee Bucks. A 14-year veteran who won three championships as a player, Jones replaces Joe Dumars, who left the league office in April to join the New Orleans Pelicans as executive vice president of basketball operations.
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In his new role leading NBA basketball operations, Jones will oversee the development of playing rules and interpretations, conduct and discipline, as well as game policies and procedures.
“James is widely respected across the NBA for being an inspiring leader and the consummate teammate during his more than 20 years as a highly successful player and team executive,” Byron Spruell, the NBA’s president of league operations, said in a statement. “With his exceptional relationship-building skills and deep basketball expertise, he is well suited to guide our efforts to shape the current and future direction of the NBA game.”
Jones first joined the Suns as vice president of basketball operations in 2017 and was promoted to general manager two years later. In 2020, he orchestrated a trade for veteran point guard Chris Paul, who, along with Devin Booker, led a young team to the playoffs for the first time in 11 years. The Finals run that season was the first of four consecutive postseason appearances for the Suns.
In 2023, billionaire mortgage lender Mat Ishbia assumed controlling ownership of the franchise and the dynamics of the front office changed. Jones worked closely with Ishbia and CEO Josh Bartelstein on basketball decisions. The Suns acquired superstar Kevin Durant at the 2023 trade deadline and acquired Bradley Beal later that summer. The results weren’t good. In 2024, Phoenix was swept in the first round by the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Last season they finished 36-46 and failed to make the Play-In Tournament. As part of a front-office revamp, Ishbia in May shifted Jones to a senior advisory role and promoted Brian Gregory to general manager.
(Photo: Michael Reaves / Getty Images)
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