The Phoenix Suns announced Tuesday that they have hired Ryan McDonough as their new general manager. McDonough is schedued to be introduced by the team at a news conference on Thursday.
The 33-year-old spent the last decade with the Boston Celtics organization, including a role as an assistant general manager for the past three seasons. McDonough was a finalist for the Suns GM position along with Milwaukee assistant GM Jeff Weltman, who has been considered twice, and San Antonio assistant GM Scott Layden.
"Ryan distinguished himself among an impressive group of candidates for our GM position," Suns president of basketball operations Lon Babby said. "His natural leadership and communication skills will serve the Suns well. And, his prodigious work ethic and ability to identify talent will enable us to take full advantage of the 10 draft choices, including six in the first round, that we have over the next three years. We welcome his championship pedigree to our organization."
McDonough replaces Lance Blanks, who was fired by the Suns last month. Phoenix finished 25-57, the second-worst record in franchise history. The team's 16-66 overall record during their 1969-60 inaugural season is the team's worst all-time.
Mcdonough is known as a trusted advisor to Boston president Danny Ainge, who has been an advocate for him to become a GM. According to AZCentral.com, the Suns were seeking a first-rate talent evaluator with a knack for the business' emerging analytics and those are areas that McDonough has proven to be adept.
McDonough has been credited in Boston for drafting emerging guard Avery Bradley with the No. 19 overall selection in 2010. He was also part of the contingent that convinced Celtics ownership to invest in a 2006 draft-day trade for Phoenix's No. 22 pick to get Rajon Rondo. Boston also found late first-round talent in Glen Davis and Jared Sullinger during McDonough's time with the team.
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