Gregory's relationship with Suns owner Mat Ishbia dates back to the late 1990s. When Ishbia was a walk-on at Michigan State, Gregory was an assistant coach on Tom Izzo's staff. Gregory did not downplay this connection; he framed it as a positive thing. Why? Alignment!

One former assistant has a nickname for Gregory: "The Fixer." Because Gregory knew how to rebuild programs. Will it translate in Phoenix?