PHOENIX SUNS

After firing GM, acquiring point guard is ‘at top of list’ for Suns owner Sarver

Oct 8, 2018, 4:31 PM | Updated: 5:27 pm

It’s no secret what the Phoenix Suns’ major hole on the roster is.

They enter the 2018-19 season without a starting-caliber point guard despite having four on the roster.

Former Suns general manager Ryan McDonough pursued a trade for one during the offseason, per 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station’s John Gambadoro, but was unsuccessful in his efforts.

McDonough was fired Monday morning, leaving vice president of basketball operations James Jones and assistant general manager Trevor Bukstein to bring in that player.

Team owner Robert Sarver acknowledged it’s a priority.

“I would say it’s definitely at the top of the list,” Sarver said on 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station’s Burns & Gambo.

Isaiah Canaan, Shaquille Harrison, De’Anthony Melton and Elie Okobo make up the rotation at the position. Canaan has over 200 games of NBA experience but has spent most of his time in the NBA toward the end of a team’s rotation. Harrison played 23 games in his rookie season last year and both Melton and Okobo were second-round picks in this year’s draft.

The owner said the team’s progress in the past six months and being in a “hyper-competitive Western Conference” were factors in the decision to fire McDonough.

Despite the team being led by a young roster headlined by 21-year-olds Devin Booker and Josh Jackson and 20-year-old Deandre Ayton, Sarver is ready to see the team move into the next step of competing.

“I think we’re at the end of a rebuild,” he said. “For me, the switch has flipped and it’s now time to start figuring out how to win.”

Sarver is high on the team’s current outlook.

“We’ve got a number of good young players,” he said. “I think we have, obviously, suffered through that process — which isn’t easy for our fan base — and now I think we’ve got some exciting young players who are going to be really, really good. And I think we have some flexibility. We’re preserving max cap space for next year, in addition to some other things we’re doing, so I think we have some flexibility and I think now it’s time to turn the switch on winning but that’s challenging.”

Along with that wiggle room, Sarver likes the Suns’ young talent being able to reach a certain level.

“I think we have three potential All-Star level players right now that if they continue to develop in the right way, I think we’re going to be great and we have them for a long time too,” he said.

Phoenix Suns

Isaiah Thomas...

Dan Bickley

Isaiah Thomas signing is a wild swing for Suns in desperate times

Isaiah Thomas is a born fighter. He’s beaten the odds. The chip on his shoulder is permanent. It’s easy to rally around a player like him.

10 hours ago

...

Arizona Sports Video

Video: Bickley Blast: Are the Phoenix Suns superstars done with Frank Vogel?

On Monday's Bickley Blast, Dan Bickley asks the question if the Suns' superstars have had bad body language recently and if it's because they want Frank Vogel gone.

15 hours ago

Dalton Knecht, Tennessee...

Damon Allred

Here’s who Phoenix Suns fans should be watching during March Madness

The Phoenix Suns are slated to have a first-round pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, and they could select one of the stars of the NCAA Tournament.

1 day ago

Damian Lillard #0 of the Milwaukee Bucks dribbles the ball against Grayson Allen #8 of the Phoenix ...

Kellan Olson

Suns’ shocking lack of urgency continues in loss to Bucks without Giannis

The Phoenix Suns are playing like they have been afforded the luxury of time. But they are just about to run out of it.

2 days ago

Josh Okogie #2 of the Phoenix Suns handles the ball during the second half of the NBA game at Footp...

David Veenstra

Suns’ Josh Okogie out for matchup vs. Bucks, Antetokounmpo also out

Phoenix Suns' Josh Okogie is out for Sunday's game against the Bucks. Okogie has missed the past seven games with a lower abdominal strain.

2 days ago

Isaiah Thomas...

Damon Allred

Isaiah Thomas to return to Suns on 10-day contract, per report

Nearly two years since his last NBA minutes, point guard Isaiah Thomas is planning to sign a 10-day contract with the Phoenix Suns.

2 days ago

After firing GM, acquiring point guard is ‘at top of list’ for Suns owner Sarver