On August 14, according to HoopsHype reporter Michael Scotto, the Suns will hire Steve Clifford, who has extensive NBA coaching experience, as the team's coaching consultant.

Clifford, 63 , last served as head coach with the Charlotte Hornets. He will step down as head coach after the 2023-24 season and transition to a consulting role within the team's front office. Clifford has coached 10 seasons in the NBA , including two stints with the Hornets and a stint with the Orlando Magic, compiling a 340-461 record .

Prior to becoming a head coach, Clifford had 13 years of experience as an assistant coach. He began his career with the New York Knicks and subsequently held positions with the Houston Rockets, Orlando Magic, and Los Angeles Lakers. This extensive coaching experience across various teams around the league has honed his skills in tactical planning, player management, and team culture building.

Previously, it was widely believed that the Suns would assign a lead assistant coach with head coaching experience to Ott, but this arrangement did not appear in the previously announced coaching staff. At that time, the team announced assistant coaches including Jesse Melmois , DeMarre Carroll , Brian Randle, Chaishon Allen , John Little , Mike Muscala and Sean Dwyer , none of whom had NBA head coaching background.

Therefore, Clifford's joining will be seen as an important support for Ott. Although the two have no direct coaching experience before, Clifford's ten years of head coaching experience will provide valuable guidance and advice to Ott, who is in charge of an NBA team for the first time, to help him quickly adapt to this role.