RealGM Basketball Wiretap

Cavaliers Win Lottery; Magic, Wizards In Top-3

Tue, 21 May 2013 20:52:23 EDT

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

McDonough Wants To Hire Coach Who Will Command Respect Of Suns Players

Thu, 09 May 2013 22:13:29 EDT

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 Beasley Under Investigation For Alleged Sexual Assault

Tue, 07 May 2013 15:57:05 EDT

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.”

Suns Hire Ryan McDonough As GM

Tue, 07 May 2013 13:47:18 EDT

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.

Suns Interested In Grant Hill For GM Job

Tue, 07 May 2013 10:42:25 EDT

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.

Suns Interviewing McDonough, Weltman, Layden For GM Opening

Wed, 01 May 2013 23:01:28 EDT

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 Interested In Signing With Blazers

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 10:35:34 EDT

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 To Interview For Pistons Coaching Vacancy

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 16:51:31 EDT

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.”

Jeff Weltman Considered Favorite To Become Suns' GM

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 13:33:31 EDT

Jeff Weltman is considered by many around the NBA to be the frontrunner to replace Lance Blanks as general manager of the Phoenix Suns.

Weltman is currently assistant general manager of the Milwaukee Bucks.

Lon Babby remains president of the Suns.

Hunter Likely To Be Allowed To Interview For Pistons' Vacancy

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 21:36:57 EDT

Lindsey Hunter has asked the Phoenix Suns to allow him to interview for the Detroit Pistons' head coaching vacancy and will likely be granted permission soon, according to a source.

Hunter was named interim coach of the Suns in January, replacing Alvin Gentry.

As an NBA player, Hunter spent 12 of his 17 seasons with the Pistons.

The Pistons fired Lawrence Frank last week.

Lance Blanks Out As Suns' GM

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 17:29:15 EDT

Lance Blanks will no longer serve as general manager of the Phoenix Suns.

“Lance has been a trusted friend and colleague,” said Suns President of Basketball Operations Lon Babby. “I thank him personally and professionally for his hard work on behalf of the Suns. We will continue to prepare for the offseason even as we look for his replacement.”

Blanks was originally named to the post on Aug. 5, 2010, after serving in the front offices of the Cleveland Cavaliers and San Antonio Spurs.

Jermaine O'Neal Leaning Towards Return

Sat, 13 Apr 2013 12:25:32 EDT

Phoenix Suns center Jermaine O'Neal is leaning strongly towards playing next season.

The 2013-14 campaign would be his 19th NBA season.

The 34-year-old has played in 55 games for the Suns this season, a three-year high.

Dudley Disagrees With Beasley Tuning Out Coaching Stuff

Wed, 10 Apr 2013 09:13:22 EDT

Phoenix Suns forward Michael Beasley scored 25 points against the Golden State Warriors on Friday and said afterward that he was more productive because he decided to tune people out.

Beasley's teammate, Jared Dudley, told Arizona Sports 620's Doug and Wolf that he doesn't understand why he would stop listening to the coaching staff.

"I don't know why he would be tuning out the coaches because sometimes when he may be tired of people getting on him all the time, they're trying to stay on him to become a better basketball player," Dudley said. "He shouldn't take it as a negative, it should be a positive.

"I would say there's got to be a better balance. Don't tune them out, listen to them but play your game in a concept of what the team wants you to do."

Suns Assign Diante Garrett To Jam

Sun, 07 Apr 2013 04:54:35 EDT

The Phoenix Suns have assigned guard Diante Garrett to the Bakersfield Jam of the NBA Development League.

Garrett will spend his second stint in Bakersfield after he was originally assigned to the Jam on Jan. 10, where he averaged 15.1 points, 7.4 assists and 1.7 steals while appearing in seven games for the Jam (five starts). During his seven-game assignment, the Jam compiled a 6-1 (.857) record, including a season-best six-game win streak.

Suns Sign Lon Babby To Two-Year Extension

Tue, 02 Apr 2013 16:02:57 EDT

The Phoenix Suns Suns announced on Tuesday that president of basketball operations Lon Babby and the team have agreed upon a two-year contract extension. The new contract guarantees that Babby will remain with the team through the 2013-14 season.

“Lon has led our front office during this important transition period for the organization and he has my full support as we continue to rebuild,” said Suns Managing Partner Robert Sarver.

“I greatly appreciate the faith that Robert Sarver and the entire Suns organization have demonstrated with this new contract,” Babby said. “We have begun the heavy lifting needed to rebuild our team. While the transition is often painful, I am entirely confident that we are taking the necessary steps to regain elite NBA status. I fully embrace the opportunity to continue on that path.”

Babby's long-term status had been put into question this season, prior to he and the team signing a new deal.

Pacers-Suns Game Could Make Sibling History

Sat, 30 Mar 2013 15:18:10 EDT

A seemingly meaningless Saturday night game between the Indiana Pacers and Phoenix Suns could make NBA history in a unique way.

The Suns feature the Morris brothers -- Marcus and Markieff -- while the Pacers have Tyler and Ben Hansbrough.

Ben Hansbrough doesn't always get off the bench, but if he does, it would be the first game in NBA history to feature two pairs of brothers.

This is the first season since the NBA was still the BAA back in 1946 that the league has fielded more than one team with a pair of siblings on their rosters.

When the Suns acquired Marcus Morris from the Houston Rockets in February, the Morris twins became just the 10th pair of brothers on the same team. The Hansbroughs were the ninth when Ben made the Pacers out of training camp.

Kerr Foresaw Stoudemire's Knee Troubles

Sat, 30 Mar 2013 11:57:54 EDT

Steve Kerr agreed with the Phoenix Suns' decision not to extend a maximum contract offer to A’mare Stoudemire.

“Yeah, I was on board with it,” said Kerr, the former general manager of the Suns.

The Suns’ medical staff believed Stoudemire was a medical risk not worth taking.

“What I remember is our orthopedic surgeon Tom Carter saying that generally after six to eight years after a player has a microfracture there could be problems,” Kerr said. “We calculated he had a couple of good years left and that the back end of the contract could be a problem.

“You never know for sure but you go with your experts and in this case it was Dr. Carter.”

Suns Dispute Notion Of Tanking

Fri, 29 Mar 2013 10:59:34 EDT

The Phoenix Suns could finish with their worst record since their inaugural season 44 years ago, but the team's veterans insist that there isn't any tanking going on.

Their players are disheartened when the US Airways Center crowd supports the opposing team, but they understand the conflicted support in the season's final weeks.

"I understand it because they want us to turn around as fast as possible," Jared Dudley said. "At the same time, I think the team with the worst record hasn't even won the No. 1 pick for a few years (2004). At the same time, individual players are playing for their jobs, playing for next year, playing for reputation. We have to finish it out the right way. Hopefully, we win some games. You can't always count on making shots. But playing hard and together you can do."

The Suns have sat Goran Dragic for their last two games. He didn't want to, furthering the notion that Phoenix is losing games in hopes of a higher draft pick. At 23-50, they have the fourth-worst record in the NBA.

"We don't look at it as tanking because we've still got to go to practice every day," Jermaine O'Neal said. "If you go out there, you really are trying to win. It's a tough period with nine games to go and everybody wants that draft pick. I guess since the women's team (the Mercury won the WNBA draft lottery's No. 1 pick). I wasn't even here and I heard that a lot last year — tanking the season to get Brittney Griner. If you're going to do it, then that's what you do it for because she changes the outlook of that team right away. I don't believe any college player on the men's side can have the same effect as a Brittney Griner.

"Based off everything you hear, nobody in the draft could make this team a contender right away. You have to protect your entity."

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Wed, 22 May 2013 11:17:03 EDT

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