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The biggest news for tonight’s game between the Golden State Warriors and the Phoenix Suns is whatever is going on in the Suns’ front office.
Earlier today, Shams Charania of The Athletic reported that the Suns fired general manager Ryan McDonough.
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
And if you’re wondering why we, the citizens of DubNation, would care about this, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN offered up the insider nugget that the Suns legend and current Warriors consultant Steve Nash has no interest in taking on the job, which is made more difficult by the owner’s involvement.
Suns legend Steve Nash -- a Sarver favorite -- continues to have no interest in pursuing the demands of the day-to-day duties of running a front office, league sources tell ESPN. He works as consultant with the Warriors now.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) October 8, 2018
The challenge for the Suns remains unchanged: Robert Sarver is perhaps the NBA's most involved owner in basketball decision-making and the plan can change day-to-day. McDonough survived five years with him. Recruiting a new GM is never an easy sell there.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) October 8, 2018
Of course, it’s natural that fans would consider Nash a candidate as he has some experience working with the Warriors, but as of right now that doesn’t seem to be a reality — things could change though and perhaps it’s worth noting that it’s not clear whether the Suns have even reached out to make Nash an offer at this point.
Steve Nash’s reaction when called about suns GM job. pic.twitter.com/ssLqchQX8j
— Sergio Mendez (@PimaResMendez) October 8, 2018
But talking heads gonna talk...
Could Steve Nash take over as Suns' GM? Video - via @ESPN App WTF ARE MY SUNS DOING!!!! ♂️ ♂️ ♂️ The Suns will always Suns https://t.co/91eEZsF9iK
— Jermaine Atkins (@585MoneyMaine) October 8, 2018
They’re trying, Jermaine.
In other totally unrelated news that surely has no bearing on the Suns news, Luka Doncic — who was drafted fourth in the 2018 NBA Draft after the Suns, Sacramento Kings and Atlanta Hawks passed on him — looked pretty solid last night.
The rook @luka7doncic (15 PTS, 5 AST, 4 REB) put on a show for the Chinese fans! #NBAChinaGames pic.twitter.com/JT1JmMxULj
— NBA TV (@NBATV) October 8, 2018
With the first pick of the 2018 draft — when Doncic was still available — the Suns drafted DeAndre Ayton, who we’ll probably get a look at tonight.
But that’s a rabbit hole that I’m sure Suns fans aren’t interested in going down right now.
When you fall down the Luka Doncic YouTube rabbit hole https://t.co/uXwpdxslIa
— Brady Klopfer (@BradyKlopferNBA) October 8, 2018