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No decision has yet been made on Hunter’s status. But the way McDonough was speaking about the search planned to fill the head coaching chair for next season would lead you to believe that the team will look high and low elsewhere for a more solid long-term solution. “I’m going to spearhead that process, and the process has already begun,” McDonough said. “That was part of my interview with [team owner Robert Sarver and president of basketball operations Lon Babby]. We discussed potential coaching candidates, and who we thought would be good fits, and we were in alignment on a lot of the names — most of the names. “So we have an initial list to go off of. We’ve received a good amount of interest from people all over the basketball world who want to be the coach of this storied franchise, and they see a great opportunity here. That’s my first order of business as the general manager, to find the best guy for that job.” NBCSports.com

Phoenix Suns, Coaching, Robert Sarver, Ryan McDonough 

But when asked if it was fair to say that Hunter’s name might be further down on his list, McDonough wasn’t ready to publicly declare Hunter as out of the running just yet. “No, I don’t think that’s fair to say,” McDonough said. “We will meet with Lindsey. I don’t know him that well personally, but I’ve heard good things about Lindsey’s character, and his toughness, and his work ethic. So Lindsey is a candidate. I know he’s interviewing for jobs elsewhere, but he’s a candidate for us as well, and we’re going to go into it with an open mind and consider all the top guys. And Lindsey is one of the top guys.” NBCSports.com

Phoenix Suns, Coaching, Robert Sarver, Ryan McDonough 

McDonough said he expects his philosophy to be very similar to the one of Danny Ainge, who he learned the job from in Boston. “Danny Ainge is probably my professional mentor,” he said. “I think my philosophy will be the same. In Boston, one of the things Danny did so well, he was very aggressive in acquiring draft picks and trying to get the best players through whatever means necessary. One of the things that I learned from Danny Ainge is to be unafraid, and that not very move is going to be perfect. I’ll probably make some mistakes. But if you’re willing to work at it, and correct some of those mistakes — and again, if you’re unafraid — then that can lead to some great results.” NBCSports.com

Boston Celtics, Phoenix Suns, Danny Ainge, Coaching, Robert Sarver, Ryan McDonough 

Paul Coro: McDonough said he & Sarver had some of the same coaches in mind. Wants a leader who commands respect & teaches to maximize the #Suns talent. Twitter @paulcoro

Phoenix Suns, Coaching, Robert Sarver, Ryan McDonough 

But he’s also a competitor. Cashing out before fixing the current mess would make his legacy a net loss, and that would be tough for him to swallow. “Absolutely not for sale at any price,” Sarver said of the Suns. “That’s the same position I’ve had for nine years.” Some say Sarver is extremely misunderstood, stuck inside a terrible caricature. He isn’t a bad guy or a bad owner. He just says awkward things. He makes some people uncomfortable. Arizona Republic

Phoenix Suns, Robert Sarver, Ryan McDonough 

McDonough interviewed with Suns president Lon Babby and owner Robert Sarver on Tuesday, sources said. Weltman is expected to meet with them on Thursday, sources said. Yahoo! Sports

Boston Celtics, Milwaukee Bucks, Phoenix Suns, Jeff Weltman, Lon Babby, Robert Sarver, Owners, Ryan McDonough 

John Gambadoro: Contrary to a report on Robert Sarver wondering if its time to "cash out" there is zero truth to it. The Phoenix Suns are not for sale. Twitter

Phoenix Suns, Robert Sarver 

John Gambadoro: Contrary to a report on Robert Sarver wondering if its time to "cash out" there is zero truth to it. The Phoenix Suns are not for sale. Twitter

Phoenix Suns, Robert Sarver, Owners 

Jeff Weltman, as has been reported, is the frontrunner to be the Phoenix Suns' next GM, and one source said he was team president Lon Babby's preference when he first joined the Suns but that owner Robert Sarver was eager to tap the San Antonio Spurs' braintrust and therefore preferred the now-deposed Lance Blanks. The bigger question is, how much longer will Sarver be calling the shots? One source says the increased evaluation of franchises inspired by the Seattle-Sacramento fight over the Kings has Sarver wondering if it's time to cash out. Sulia

Phoenix Suns, Jeff Weltman, Lon Babby, Robert Sarver, Lance Blanks 

The 12 owners on the NBA's relocation/finance committee will make the recommendation on the future of the Kings: • Peter Holt, Spurs (chairman of the board of governors) • Micky Arison, Heat • Clay Bennett, Thunder • Jeanie Buss, Lakers • James Dolan, Knicks • Wyc Grousbeck, Celtics • Ted Leonsis, Wizards • Greg Miller, Jazz • Robert Sarver, Suns • Herb Simon, Pacers • Larry Tanenbaum, Raptors • Glen Taylor, Timberwolves Sacramento Bee

Sacramento Kings, James Dolan, Wyc Grousbeck, Micky Arison, Robert Sarver, Ted Leonsis, Glen Taylor, Jeanie Buss, Greg Miller, Herb Simon, Peter Holt, Clay Bennett 

Barkley put his finger on the problem with the scenario when he said, “For me personally, I need another challenge and that challenge is running an NBA team.” He also said of club president Lon Babby and managing partner Robert Sarver: “The notion of Lon and Robert telling me about basketball players. . .that’s not going to happen.” Arizona Republic

Phoenix Suns, Charles Barkley, Lon Babby, Robert Sarver, Owners 

The Phoenix Suns today announced that the club has reached an agreement with President of Basketball Operations Lon Babby on a new two-year contract. The deal will keep Babby in his current position through 2014-15. “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. NBA.com

Phoenix Suns, Lon Babby, Robert Sarver 

This interview took place before Sarver said in a radio interview that he saw Blanks as a talented executive who is "terrible" at public relations, but it made this subplot all the more interesting. USA Today Sports

Phoenix Suns, Coaching, Robert Sarver, Lance Blanks, Lindsey Hunter 

Robert Sarver is no stranger to criticism. He’s been hearing it for years. But he still believes in his people. He still believes in his plan. And that is? “It’s the same plan we’ve had for the last 12 months,” the Suns’ majority owner said. “We’re rebuilding our team. And unless you have a Tim Duncan, Michael Jordan or Kobe Bryant, that can be pretty tough to do.” Arizona Republic

Phoenix Suns, Robert Sarver 

After the Sacramento Kings were sold for $525 million, some wondered if the Sarver would look to sell the franchise, which he and his investors purchased for $404 million in 2004. Sarver said that price tag is misleading because Sacramento is one of two NBA franchises with short-term lease agreements, which enhances their value. While he concedes the Suns might be worth that, he says he’s never had an offer, and never had a single conversation about selling the franchise. Not even with the rough road ahead. “No one is more impatient than me,” Sarver said. “I want to win. We’re going to do it through the draft and hopefully free agency, from having cap space and asset. We’re in a position where we don’t have any bad contracts. Players want to come to Phoenix. We don’t have any stars, so we have a lot of work to do. But I think we’re in a decent position. “We’re not going to do it in three days just to make the media happy. If there was a quicker way to do it, we would. But we’re going to do it.” Arizona Republic

Phoenix Suns, Robert Sarver 

Adrian Wojnarowski: Suns front office installed Hunter into organization and see him as future head coach there. Turner is a favorite of owner, Robert Sarver. Twitter @WojYahooNBA

Phoenix Suns, Coaching, Robert Sarver, Elston Turner, Lindsey Hunter 

John Gambadoro: Owner Robert Sarver and President of Basketball operations Lon Babby met with Gentry this morning Twitter

Phoenix Suns, Coaching, Lon Babby, Robert Sarver, Alvin Gentry 

In Phoenix, though my radar goes up when an owner gives his coach a vote of confidence, I seriously doubt Robert Sarver would pay two coaches when his team is drifting toward another lottery. I don't believe it's Alvin Gentry's fault, but I don't expect him to be back next season. I expect him to be on Mike D'Antoni's bench in LA. To me, it's only a question of how widespread the housecleaning will be. CBSSports.com

Los Angeles Lakers, Phoenix Suns, Coaching, Mike D'Antoni, Robert Sarver, Alvin Gentry 

Owner Robert Sarver has stated that Alvin Gentry will finish the last season on his contract as coach, and you know this isn't the usual kiss-of-death-before-the-firing stuff because Sarver isn't going to pay two head coaches for another trip to the lottery. League sources continue to believe the Suns are headed for a major reset. It's only a matter of when and how widespread. CBSSports.com

Phoenix Suns, Trade, Robert Sarver, Alvin Gentry 

Pressure's rising in Phoenix and Toronto. Who do you think winds up being the fall guy in those two situations gone bad? KB: As for Toronto, the clock is ticking on Bryan Colangelo. And now that Andrea Bargnani and Jose Calderon are both hurt, the Raptors can't hit the reset button with a trade. In Phoenix, though my radar goes up when an owner gives his coach a vote of confidence, I seriously doubt Robert Sarver would pay two coaches when his team is drifting toward another lottery. I don't believe it's Alvin Gentry's fault, but I don't expect him to be back next season. I expect him to be on Mike D'Antoni's bench in LA. To me, it's only a question of how widespread the housecleaning will be. CBSSports.com

Phoenix Suns, Coaching, Mike D'Antoni, Robert Sarver, Alvin Gentry