Dormant for 12 years and takes over! The Suns spent 20 million to lock in the coach of Bookcin, and the countdown to Durant s trade begins

On June 5, according to exclusive news from the NBA authoritative NBA reporter Shams Charania, the Phoenix Suns have locked in the new coach - the current Cleveland Cavaliers' chief assistant coach Jordan Ultra will take over the coaching stick. Sources revealed that the two sides signed a "3+1" contract, with the fourth year as a team option, with a total value of more than $20 million. This tactical expert who has been dormant in the league for more than ten years finally has the opportunity to take charge of the General Seal.

Insiders revealed that the Suns' coach selection process is the most severe in recent years. Since early May, the management has contacted 18 candidates including former NBA coach, active top assistant coach and NCAA coach. After four rounds of in-depth interviews and background checks, the decision was finally made in early June. It is worth noting that Ultra's performance in the simulation tactical drills was particularly outstanding. His "dynamic space system" designed for the Suns' existing lineup made the management's eyes shine.

The opinions of Suns star Devin Booker played a decisive role in this coaching selection. According to team insiders, Booker and Ott had a three-hour private meeting during the coach selection period, and the two sides reached a high degree of consensus on tactical concepts and team culture. "Derwin believes that Ultra is one of the few coaches who can improve the team's offensive and defensive efficiency at the same time and handle the star relationship well. " said a Suns executive who did not want to be named.

At 42 years old, Ultra is a representative of the "technical flow" in the coaching industry. His coaching resume is quite distinctive: from 2012 to 2015, he studied under Budenholzer's "Spurs" transmission system; from 2016 to 2019, he assisted Atkinson in building the "Civilian Legion"; from 2020, he accumulated playoff experience with Vogel in the Lakers' championship; last season, he helped the Cavaliers build the league's top defensive system. This diversified coaching background is exactly the characteristic that the Sun values.

The Suns' change of coach this time is a helpless move. The team spent huge sums of money to build a luxury lineup last season, setting one of the worst results for luxury tax teams in NBA history. What is amazing is that the team will have to pay a total of more than $60 million in the next three years, including: Monty Williams' remaining 16 million for two years, Vogel's 3 years, Budenholzer's 28 million for four years, and Ott's new contract.

"The Athletic" reporter Mark Stein brings more inside information: The Suns management has authorized Ultra to participate in the team's lineup construction, and the first major decision may be to trade Durant. Several scouts revealed that the Suns are evaluating Durant's trading value, and their potential next players include the Heat, Rockets and other teams. At the same time, the team plans to renew Booker's contract in advance after the free market is opened (according to the earliest signing amount stipulated in the new labor-management agreement).

This change of coach may mark a complete change in the Suns' team's thinking. From pursuing real-time combat power to cultivating team culture, can Ultra transplant the winning gene he helped build with the Cavaliers to Phoenix? Will the combination of Booker + Ultra replicate the gorgeous offense of Nash + D'Antoni back then, or create a new Suns basketball philosophy? All of this makes the Suns' next season full of highlights.