NBA Rumors: The Phoenix Suns are reportedly interested in Kevin McHale and John Paxson as they prepare for their GM search
As the Phoenix Suns prepare for their full blown General Manager search over the next few weeks and possibly into the summer, it’s expected for a few names to begin to emerge. And according to New York Times scribe, two names to keep an eye on are Kevin McHale and Jim Paxson.
Paxson is currently a part of the Chicago Bulls front office at the moment, but does have experience as a GM, when he held the job for the Cleveland Cavaliers from 1999-2003. However, if a new opportunity to lead a team arose (in terms of a GM), there’s no question that he would listen – and probably accept.
McHale was last seen in NBA circles as the head coach for the Housing Rockets from 2011-15 and currently is a NBA analyst for NBA TV/TNT. Who knows if McHale would even be interested in a return to the front office, but he wouldn’t be foreign to the opportunity as he served as the Minnesota Timberwolves GM shortly after he retired from the NBA.
In the early stages of the Suns' GM search, Phoenix has spoken to TNT's Kevin McHale (former Wolves GM & coach + former Rockets coach) and likewise has interest in Bulls consultant Jim Paxson (former Cavs GM), league sources say
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) March 21, 2019
There will certainly be many other names thrown out before the Suns eventually make a hire, but no matter who they end up bringing in will be inheriting an interesting situation. The Suns have one of the brightest young rosters in the league, led by Devin Booker and Deandre Ayton.
Phoenix will also likely have another top 3 pick in this year’s top heavy NBA Draft, so that’s another possible blue chip asset moving forward.
The pressure will be on whichever GM gets the job. And then there will be questions as to whether or not they elect to try and make a move to win-now or continue to Trust The Process and hope that their young core blossoms into a star-studded one.
This is a big summer for the Phoenix Suns, and one of the first big decisions for this franchise will come at the General Manager vacancy.