Why Phoenix Suns Assistant DeMarre Carroll Is Head Coach in Waiting

The Phoenix Suns organization has been a hub for curating basketball minds for nearly six decades.

From Mike D'Antoni being promoted to full-time head coach, to Willie Green being hired as head coach of the New Orleans Pelicans - there has been no shortage of talent that has worked through the city of Phoenix. 

The name that is perhaps next in line when discussing future head coach material is none other than DeMarre Carroll, who is entering season two as an assistant coach under the leadership of Jordan Ott.

Carroll, 40, spent three seasons as an assistant for the Milwaukee Bucks, Los Angeles Lakers, and Cleveland Cavaliers prior to following Ott to Phoenix. Now, he is positioning to be a red-hot candidate on the head coaching market in the future.

Carroll's 11-year NBA career is what best postures him to be a head coach one day. He overcame much adversity early in life - including suffering a gunshot wound and numerous other injuries - to become a key cog in the rise of the Atlanta Hawks to a 60-win club in 2014-15. 

Carroll was widely praised for his professionalism, work ethic, and ability to connect to the locker room during that time - which are all necessities in a head coach of an NBA franchise. 

Beyond this, Carroll's time as an assistant is further preparing him to take on this lofty mantle. He has served under a diverse set of coaches (Darvin Ham, Mike Budenholzer, Kenny Atkinson), which has allowed for him to learn the ropes in a variety of ways leading into continuing working with Ott in Phoenix. 

Carroll's hands-on approach translated incredibly well to the 2025 Summer League Suns as well, where he summed up the run with a profound statement. 

"There's gonna be a lot of information thrown at you in a short period of time. You're gonna make mistakes."

Carroll's no-nonsense approach to the game is another facet as to why he profiles as a future head coach. He is consistently prepared, focused on the task at hand, and ready to connect with players. 

Perhaps the determining factor of Carroll's prospects as a head coach rest in the development of the youth movement in Phoenix. Much is hinging on former top-10 pick Khaman Maluach, as well as players that are facing a ticking clock such as third-year wing Ryan Dunn.

All in all, don't count out the superb basketball mind.