The Phoenix Suns will pick fifth overall in the 2013 NBA Draft, their highest selection since 1987 when they selected Armen Gilliam at No. 2 after David Robinson went to the San Antonio Spurs.

The draft is considered very flat, which benefits the Suns at No. 5 more than certain seasons in the past.

“The guy who goes there might not be much different, or any different, than guys who go in the top three,” McDonough said.

The Suns will be the first team from the Western Conference selecting in this draft.

“I think generally we need to get more athletic,” Ryan McDonough said. “I think we need more shooting. My philosophy is always to draft the best available player. There are some good pieces in place here. But at the same time, we won 25 games here, so we need to get better across the board.”

The Phoenix Suns have received permission to interview J.B. Bickerstaff and Steve Clifford for their head coaching vacancy.

Bickerstaff is currently an assistant coach with the Houston Rockets, while Clifford is under contract with the Los Angeles Lakers.

The Suns fired Alvin Gentry after a 13-28 finish and Lindsey Hunter finished the season on an interim basis.

The 2013 NBA Draft Lottery was held on Tuesday in Times Square with the Cleveland Cavaliers winning for the second time in three years and third time in ten years. The Washington Wizards moved up from the eighth slot to draft third.

1. Cleveland Cavaliers
2. Orlando Magic
3. Washington Wizards
4. Charlotte Bobcats
5. Phoenix Suns
6. New Orleans Pelicans
7. Sacramento Kings
8. Detroit Pistons
9. Minnesota Timberwolves
10. Portland Trail Blazers
11. Philadelphia 76ers
12. Toronto Raptors
13. Dallas Mavericks
14. Utah Jazz

Ryan McDonough wants to select a coach who commands respect and will teach effectively to maximize player talent.

"The most important thing to find in our head coach is someone who is a leader," McDonough said. "We need someone who commands the respect of the players, commands the respect of the entire organization. We also need someone who is a teacher, who can help our young players develop and get better and maximize their individual talent."

McDonough intends to fill his front office with people who can compare players across Europe, colleges, the D-League and free agency.

"I don't want specialists, meaning I don't want guys who just scout college, just scout the pros, just scout the D-league, the international," McDonough said. "What I generally prefer is a smaller model with guys who are master evaluators who know all the players, who can compare a guy who just got bought out in Europe to a guy who developed in the D-league to an NBA free agent. I want all my top guys to be able to do that and tell me who is the best player."

Michael Beasly is under investigation by the Scottsdale Police Department for an alleged sexual assault.

The incident reportedly occurred on January 13.

“At this point we can only say the investigation is ongoing,” said David Pubins, Scottsdale police spokesman. “We are interviewing those involved and processing any physical evidence we may have to try and determine if criminal charges are appropriate.”

The Phoenix Suns have hired Ryan McDonough as general manager.

McDonough will replace Lance Blanks and will report to Lon Babby.

McDonough most recently was assistant general manager of the Boston Celtics.

McDonough joined the Celtics in 2003 as a 23-year-old special assistant to basketball operations.

McDonough is the son of the late renowned Boston Globe columnist Will McDonough, and the brother of ESPN broadcaster Sean and NFL player personnel executive Terry.

The Phoenix Suns are interested in hiring Grant Hill to become general manager of the franchise.

The Suns fired Lance Blanks at the beginning of their offseason and have narrowed their other candidates down to Ryan McDonough and Jeff Weltman.

Hill has yet to decide if he wants to continue his playing career.

Hill played five seasons for the Suns before signing with the Los Angeles Clippers last offseason.

Boston assistant general manager Ryan McDonough, Milwaukee assistant GM Jeff Weltman and San Antonio Spurs assistant GM Scott Layden have emerged as the three finalists for the Phoenix Suns' GM opening and will interview soon, according to league sources.

McDonough interviewed with Suns president Lon Babby and owner Robert Sarver on Tuesday.

Weltman is expected to meet with the Suns on Thursday.

The Suns recently fired Lance Blanks.

Jermaine O'Neal openly talked about returning to the Portland Trail Blazers this offseason as a free agent.

O'Neal was a first round pick by the Blazers in the 1996 NBA Draft straight out of high school.

“I'm very open to Portland. They're definitely a team I'm looking forward to having talks with this summer,” O'Neal said. “LaMarcus [Aldridge] and Damian [Lillard] along with [Nicolas] Batum are some great pieces to build around. All they need to do is shore up the bench and add a paint presence on defense and they'll be right there. It's hard to put that type of stress on your starting five and I know I can help ease some of that stress.”

O'Neal played for the Phoenix Suns this past season.

“Portland is a team I have to look at this summer. That city has always been in my heart because one: Mr. [Paul] Allen gave me my opportunity, and two: that city took me in as their second child,” he explained. “I didn't play for two or three years but you couldn't tell. The organization and the fans really allowed me to grow at my own pace. It's a special place to me. I met my wife in Portland. At this point for me, it's all about competing and winning and the Blazers are doing those things.”

Lindsey Hunter will interview for the Detroit Pistons’ vacant head coaching job.

“It’s just an interview, like any other,” said Hunter, who interviewed for the Orlando Magic’s head coaching job last summer. “They (the Pistons) have a coaching opening and I was fortunate that they’d consider me. Hopefully, I’ll continue to gain interest from other people.”

Hunter, 42, served as the Suns’ interim coach this season.

Suns president of basketball operations Lon Babby said Hunter remains a strong candidate for the full-time job.

“From talking to him, I do feel that way,” Hunter said of Babby’s statement. “I think he still feels I’m a strong candidate. Although Lance and I were really close, I felt like I was equally respected in the organization by all parts. I was hurt for my friend  but I wasn’t concerned about anything.”