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The so-called “agent model” they are adopting, furthermore, has flopped (with Lon Babby in Phoenix and Arn Tellem in Detroit) as often as it has flourished (Bob Myers in Golden State and Rob Pelinka with the Los Angeles Lakers). The skeptics are also bound to point out that, as recently as last May, no one was looking to the Lakers for any sort of blueprint. LeBron James chose to sign with the Lakers as a free agent in July 2018 independent of anyone working for them — and they were a franchise in disarray, after Magic Johnson’s unforeseen resignation as team president in April, until Anthony Davis forced a trade to the Lakers to team up with James.
Lon Babby took a step back from Suns basketball operations last summer and now will step all the way out. Babby is ending his association with the Suns at the end of this week. He had spent the past season as a part-time senior adviser after having a five-year run as Suns president of basketball operations. “I’m very appreciative for the opportunity to come to Phoenix, be part of a wonderful community and see and learn a lot of things that have been very gratifying,” Babby said. “I look forward to staying involved here in the community and being more involved with my family. I turned 65 in February and consider myself a full-fledged snowbird.”
Nash has yet to indicate when, or if, he intends to seek a larger role in the NBA, or what kind of role he would look for. Intelligent and widely respected, Nash’s potential is seemingly limitless. Coaching is an option, although Nash’s balky back could make a front-office position more appealing. Currently Nash is the general manager of the Canadian men’s national basketball team, a job he enjoys, friends say, and a it’s title he has held since 2012. But a write-your-own-ticket offer from Phoenix, where Nash remains hugely popular, could be too appealing to pass up. The Suns have a bright young general manager in Ryan McDonough, whose role was enhanced when Lon Babby, Phoenix’s former president of basketball operations, stepped down last summer, but many believe Sarver will do whatever it takes to lure Nash back.
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Babby's second contract as Suns president of basketball operations will expire at the end of July but he will remain a part-time senior adviser. Suns General Manager Ryan McDonough takes over as head of basketball operations. Babby, 64, never intended to stay past his first three-year contract but he is smitten with Phoenix, where he will stay involved in Suns contract negotiations and salary-cap management. The change will not be a major shake-up with McDonough, after two years in Phoenix, already leading much of the operation and Babby hesitating to even cut back to half as much work.
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"Obviously, that's something we need," Suns President of Basketball Operations Lon Babby said. "If he (Granger) is capable of playing and providing that, that'd be a plus. He's a very professional person and very intelligent. We enjoy having him here. It just depends on how he feels. He thinks he's got more left. We hope he's right. He's going to work hard, I know that."
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