The Phoenix Suns on Thursday announced James Jones as their new general manager after he filled the role on an interim basis this season.
Along with the Jones move, the Suns also announced the hiring of Jeff Bower as senior vice president of basketball operations.
Jones will oversee basketball operations, with Bower and assistant general manager Trevor Bukstein reporting to him. Jones and Bukstein had shared oversight of basketball operations following Ryan McDonough's firing as GM in October.
"[Jones] is instilling the same championship culture and standard that he experienced on multiple occasions as a player," Suns owner Robert Sarver said in a statement. "I have the utmost confidence in James as the leader of our basketball operations moving forward, and we are aligned in the ultimate goal of one day bringing an NBA championship to Phoenix."
Jones has worked in the Suns' front office since retiring as a player after 14 years in the NBA, which included two seasons in Phoenix.
Bower formerly served as general manager in Charlotte, New Orleans and Detroit. He worked for the Pistons under president of basketball operations and coach Stan Van Gundy for four seasons until a change was made a year ago.
The Suns had a 19-63 record this season, but they have a promising nucleus of young players that includes Devin Booker and rookie center Deandre Ayton. Coach Igor Kokoskov completed his first season on the job.
