Day: July 13, 2023

The future of James Jones was uncertain when Mat Ishbia assumed ownership of the Phoenix Suns in February.

On of Ishbia’s first big personnel moves was hiring Josh Bartelstein to oversee both business and basketball for the franchise, placing someone ahead of Jones on the org chart.

But Jones has embraced the challenge and retains strong influence, which has left him energized, reports ESPN’s Brian Windhorst.

“Josh was hired as the CEO and I wanted him to come in and lead as the CEO,” Jones said. “Mat became the owner and I was ready for him to come in and set the direction as owner. We had been in limbo for far too long.”

Jones was a driving force in the decision to fire Monty Williams, sources tell Windhorst.

When Chris Paul was traded by the Phoenix Suns in June, he implied that the decision had been made by Mat Ishbia and Isiah Thomas.

Thomas is a close friend of Ishbia and serves on the board of his mortgage company.

Sources tell ESPN’s Brian Windhorst that Thomas has spent time in Phoenix informally advising the front office, but his role has reduced in recent weeks. Sources add that Thomas was not part of the Beal recruitment and trade.

“As I said the day I was introduced, Isiah is a friend and has no formal role,” Ishbia said. “If that changes, we will announce it.”

Ishbia was sitting next to Thomas in the playoffs when he had his viral moment with Nikola Jokic. Thomas was also at Summer League for his broadcast duties with NBATV where he also spent time with the Phoenix front office.

Windhorst’s article mentions the active role Ishbia is taking as owner, while also emphasizing that James Jones has a settled place in the org chart.

During an acceptance speech at the ESPY’s on Wednesday, LeBron James confirmed he will return for his 21st NBA season.

“I don’t care how many more points I score or what I can or cannot do on the floor,” James said. “The real question for me is: Can I play without cheating this game? The day I can’t give everything on the floor is the day I’ll be done. Lucky for you guys, that day is not today.”

James explained his mindset after the Los Angeles Lakers’ Game 4 elimination from the playoffs when he said he had to think about “if I want to continue to play.”

“When the season ended, I said I wasn’t sure if I was going to keep playing,” James said. “And I know a lot of experts told you guys what I said, but I’m here now speaking for myself. In that moment, I’m asking myself if I can still play without cheating the game — can I give everything to the game still? The truth is, I’ve been asking myself this question at the end of the season for a couple years now. I just never openly talked about it.”