Suns' Mat Ishbia Reportedly 'Pushing Hard' to Land Bob Myers as New Lead Exec

Phoenix Suns owner Mat Ishbia reportedly has a name in mind for who he wants to lead the team's front office.

Duane Rankin of the Arizona Republic reported that while CEO Josh Bartelstein and team president and general manager James Jones have worked together with Ishbia on basketball decisions, the owner has been "pushing hard" to hire former Golden State Warriors GM Bob Myers as the Suns' new lead executive.

Myers helped the Warriors win four NBA championships during his tenure and was a two-time NBA Executive of the Year. After stepping down from his position in May 2023, he joined ESPN as an NBA analyst.

NBA insider Marc Stein also recently explained Ishbia's interest in hiring Myers, though he indicated that there isn't much confidence in league circles that Ishbia will be able to pull it off.

"You’d struggle to find many league observers who like their chances," Stein wrote, per Rankin. "Ishbia is said to have maintained a longstanding interest in trying to convince Myers to return to the role in which he presided over four Warriors championships."

Rankin noted that sources said Myers "enjoys spending time with his family," which he's able to do in his current role for ESPN. He also works as a consultant for the NFL's Washington Commanders.

Rankin added that Milwaukee Bucks general manager Jon Horst is "another name to consider" in Ishbia's search for a lead executive.

This offseason will be full of changes in Phoenix. The team is also in search of a new head coach for the third time in three years. Star forward Kevin Durant is expected to be traded over the summer, and veteran guard Bradley Beal's future with the team is in question as well.

Whoever Ishbia hires to lead the Suns' front office will have some crucial decisions to make immediately after joining the franchise.