The heads could keep rolling in Phoenix as an offseason of expected significant change is already underway. The Suns were one of the more disappointing teams in the NBA this season, finishing outside of the playoffs (play-in included) with an under .500 record (36-46). With the search for a new head coach in play, a trade for Kevin Durant already on the discussion table, and other roster changes likely to occur; there could be more shifting within the organization when it comes to the front office.
Suns Ownership Reportedly Interested in Bob Myers
Phoenix Suns owner Mat Ishbia could seek a new GM; former Warriors architect Bob Myers a person of interest
With Mike Budenholzer being fired and Mat Ishbia’s spotted track record of hiring and firing team leadership personnel, specifically head coaches, it’s entirely fair to question whether James Jones’s job is safe. Jones has done a good job as the Suns GM in his tenure. It’s also important to note that Ishbia had more of the final say in the head coaching carousel than Jones did. According to Marc Stein and Jake Fischer of The Stein Line, Jones’s future status with Phoenix is unclear. However, safe or not, Stein and Fischer also report that Ishbia may have a strong interest in pursuing one of the most successful presidents of basketball operations in recent league history: Bob Myers.
Myers is, of course, the architect behind the Golden State Warriors dynasty, which includes four championships in 2015, 2017, 2018, and 2022. Four first-ballot Hall of Famers also come from that dynasty run: Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green, and Durant, who was present for two of the four titles. Myers has since stepped down from his role with the Warriors and moved into television and media, of which he does a fantastic job whether on the NBA Countdown panel or calling games for ESPN. According to Stein and Fischer, Ishbia has had his eyes on Myers for a while now, and considering the present state of the Suns’ franchise now could be the time Ishbia decides to make his move.
A new sun will rise, with or without Bob Myers
Whether Phoenix will be able to convince Myers to return to an NBA front office is uncertain. Myers has transitioned well into his role with ESPN. He’s good on TV and does an exceptional job as a broadcaster, and his unique insight and past as a top NBA executive add the perfect yet different perspectives and opinions on panels. On top of that, he doesn’t let Stephen A. Smith get away with the many wacky things he may say on NBA Countdown. From an outsider’s perspective, Myers enjoys his ESPN gig, so prying him away from that back into the stressful team management role could be challenging for Ishbia.
Would Myers succeed if he were to return to the league in a front-office capacity? He most likely would. He’s done it before; he was phenomenally successful and could likely replicate that success again. Regardless, Phoenix is under construction, and Ishbia is under the gun to turn his spotty track record around. Who the Suns hire as the new head coach will be a crucial decision. If Ishbia does try to persuade Myers for another role, that will also be a crucial decision. Either way, recent history tells us Ishbia prefers to be very hands-on. All the mounting pressure, and more of it on the way, will be by his own doing.
© Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
The post Suns Ownership Reportedly Interested in Bob Myers appeared first on Last Word On Basketball.