With training camp underway, the Phoenix Suns abruptly fired general manager Ryan McDonough on Monday.
The Suns added that vice president of basketball operations James Jones and assistant GM Trevor Bukstein will split GM duties for now.
The Phoenix Suns have fired GM Ryan McDonough.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) October 8, 2018
Suns will now have GM role served by vice president of basketball operations James Jones and assistant GM Trevor Bukstein. https://t.co/OcQTYJWtyX
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) October 8, 2018
The timing of this is very odd, with the season just nine days away. It’s also strange after Phoenix allowed McDonough to make the No. 1 overall pick in the draft less than four months ago. McDonough had been trying to make a big deal all offseason, suggesting that the Suns had no problem letting him oversee their rebuild, at least until recently.
Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN suggested that the Suns may already be lining up a well-known replacement.
Suns announce firing of GM Ryan McDonough. James Jones and Trevor Bukstein will be interims. One candidate to watch long-term: Kevin McHale.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) October 8, 2018
McDonough had served as the Suns’ GM since 2013.
