Has Sarver fully embraced the rebuild, and if so why no extension for McDonough?

[bwgood77]

Or maybe there has been one? I thought he originally got one more year than Hornacek and was in the last year of his contract, but I haven't been able to find anything that talks about his original contract or anything about an extension or anything.

I guess it's possible one was agreed upon, but not announced for fear some fans would not be happy to see it when the season hasn't produced wins. But the rookies playing a lot, no big trades for more win now players, etc, would lead you to believe Sarver has embraced and McDonough isn't under any pressure to get any big moves or really win now in more big moves.

But it's tough to know for sure. Or perhaps they are waiting for the summer when we have another draft pick, the rookies have gotten better, some minor moves are made to move a few vets by the deadline to bring in maybe a young player or two or more picks, and everyone is more pumped again during the summer before announcing an extension.

Any thoughts?

[DirtyDez]

I've brought up the uncertainty of his contract situation before. I don't think Sarver knows what he wants and it makes you wonder if McDonough is hesitant to go from 50% rebuild to 100% without an extension in place. McDonough is a smart guy and he knows the 4-games back talk is bs but maybe he's being pressured to speak positively about the state of the Suns? Weird situation all around.

[lilfishi22]

This is something that I haven't really thought much about to be honest. I've always just assumed he'd be here long term (past his current deal) but the fact that he's in his last year with no extension tells me two things.

1. Sarver is more in a wait-and-see mindset than he is 100% on board with whatever plan McD had. Sarver may be seeing if the Suns are truly out of the playoff race or if we still have a shot.

2. If we are in the playoff hunt, then I think McD gets the boot. I think Sarver will look to get a new GM in, one with a plan to turn this boat around, if it looks like we're close enough to a playoff spot (-5 games from playoffs to end the season). I think McD is here with his long term plan and while that may have sold Sarver in the beginning, I think Sarver sees what I see; inconsistent improvements at best or consistent stagnation at worst.

Deep down, Sarver is a businessman first and fan second (or third or fourth). The cost of running a low salary team isn't much but that playoff revenue, the fanfare in the arena during the playoffs, the media attention and the recognition is hard to look past.

[TeamTragic]

Can we be honest with ourselves for a minute? Nobody wants to manage this franchise. Nobody wants to coach this franchise. If McD gets the boot then I fear we will hire Hinkie.

[jcsunsfan]

Yes he has embraced the rebuild. Geez. We have been in it all the way for two years.


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[bwgood77]

Yes he has embraced the rebuild. Geez. We have been in it all the way for two years.


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Two years? Last summer we signed Chandler and tried to sign Aldridge and obviously wanted to make the playoffs. The only sign there were fully embracing it was this year, yet no extension. All signs point to that way, but if so, it seems like an extension would have been in place in the summer or at least by now, but certainly after the trade deadline. No lame duck situation is ever good, but maybe that is Sarvers MO. Wasn't good for Joe Johnson, Hornacek or others I'm sure. Can't remember if Kerr was in a lame duck situation.

[WeekapaugGroove]

I don't see embracing the rebuild and extending McD as mutually exclusive things. They might embrace it but ultimately decide McD isn't the best guy for the job. I think they will have to take a hard look at his whole body of work before making a decision. He's had 4 drafts now as a GM so it's a big enough sample size to say has he made the right picks and are the young guys developing as they should? Was Watson the right hire because I can't see him getting to pick another coach. Can he swing some deals before the deadline that set them up for the future? I think the play of the young guys the rest of the way and what moves he can make will ultimately determine his fate. I'm still somewhat in favor of keeping him around but even me as a McD supporter don't think its a no brainer; his record as a GM is far from spotless. This draft looks good and the suns will be picking high so it's so so important they get this next pick right.

[bwgood77]

I don't see embracing the rebuild and extending McD as mutually exclusive things. They might embrace it but ultimately decide McD isn't the best guy for the job. I think they will have to take a hard look at his whole body of work before making a decision. He's had 4 drafts now as a GM so it's a big enough sample size to say has he made the right picks and are the young guys developing as they should? Was Watson the right hire because I can't see him getting to pick another coach. Can he swing some deals before the deadline that set them up for the future? I think the play of the young guys the rest of the way and what moves he can make will ultimately determine his fate. I'm still somewhat in favor of keeping him around but even me as a McD supporter don't think its a no brainer; his record as a GM is far from spotless. This draft looks good and the suns will be picking high so it's so so important they get this next pick right.

There is still the possibility that he moves into a role more like GS did to Director of Scouting like the Warriors did with Larry Riley in 2012, though he would likely get another job elsewhere at some point if that happened.

It's just crazy not to give extension if there is a long term plan in place (not that it seems like there ever is).

[ImNotMcDiSwear]

Regardless whether McD actually has job security, he's sure acting like it. Or at least, he's still pursuing the best interests of the team, regardless how it affects him. Gotta love him for that.