The Phoenix Suns are relieving Ryan McDonough of his general manager duties less than 10 days from the season opener.
GM duties will be shared by vice president of basketball operations and former NBA player James Jones and assistant GM Trevor Bukstein. Jones will handle basketball operations and oversight of coaches, players and staff, and Bukstein will manage player transactions, according to a news release from the team.
The Suns hired McDonough in 2013, and the team went from 25 wins in 2012-13 to 48 wins in 2013-14. McDonough was runner-up to San Antonio’s R.C. Buford for executive of the year.
The Suns have been on a decline since then, winning just 39, 23, 24 and 21 games in consecutive seasons.