Suns Transition Lon Babby into Senior Advisor Role

Wednesday morning, the Phoenix Suns announced a change in their front office.

Effective on August 1st, Lon Babby will no longer be the President of Basketball Operations for the team and will be transitioning into a Senior Advising role. According to the Suns, this role will provide strategic counsel and input to the Basketball Operations Department as well as to the entire Suns organization.  

Babby joined the organization with an expertise in contact negations having been a very well respected Attorney and Agent in the sports industry. That will continue to play a big role in his position with contract negotiations and salary cap management.  The Suns add that Babby will continue to be based in Phoenix and as part of his new role will spend at least 50 percent of his time working on Suns matters.

“I am grateful that Robert has accommodated my wish to reduce my work load, while remaining a vital part of the Suns organization,” said Babby. “At this stage of my career, I welcome the flexibility that comes with this new role, a flexibility that will enable me to do other things that are important to me both personally and in the community. I feel particularly confident in making this transition because of the quality of leadership in place within the organization.”

“Lon has served the Suns well for the last five years,” mentioned Suns Managing Partner Robert Sarver. “I am pleased that he will remain with the Suns and continue to bring his expertise and value to the organization.”

In the process, Ryan McDonough will take over as head of the organization’s basketball operations from his current role as General Manager along with his Assistant General Managers, Pat Connelly and Trevor Bukstein.  The three will see their responsibilities increase within the organization and are signed to multiyear contracts.