Ex-Suns GM Jones takes over as NBA head of basketball operations

Former Phoenix Suns general manager James Jones is joining the NBA as executive vice president and head of basketball operations, the league announced Wednesday.

He replaces Joe Dumars, who joined the New Orleans Pelicans in April to become their executive vice president of basketball operations.

The 44-year-old will hold several responsibilities with the league office, "including the development of playing rules and interpretations, conduct and discipline, and policies and procedures relating to the operation of games," the NBA said in a statement. He will also be tasked with discussions surrounding the state of the game with players, coaches, referees, and executives.

Jones first joined the Suns as director of player personnel in July 2017 before being promoted to full-time general manager in 2019. He remained in the role until May 2025, when the franchise promoted Brian Gregory to GM and shifted Jones to a senior adviser position.

Jones made several moves that transformed Phoenix into a contender in the West in recent years. Ahead of the 2020-21 campaign, he acquired star guard Chris Paul in a five-player trade with the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Suns eclipsed 50 wins that season for the first time in 11 years and made their first Finals appearance since 1993. He was named Executive of the Year as a result of the team's success.

The Suns set a franchise record with 64 wins in the following campaign, but their playoff run ended in the second round when they were eliminated in seven games by the Dallas Mavericks.

Jones was also behind the four-team deal in February 2023 that brought Kevin Durant to Phoenix from the Brooklyn Nets. However, the Suns never won more than 49 contests and advanced past the first round just once in two-and-a-half seasons with Durant on the roster.