Point: Phoenix Suns fans should not sleep on Jeff Bower as GM

Jeff Bower is not the “sexy” name that Phoenix Suns fans were looking forward to in the GM search but don’t sleep on him.

With James Jones and Trevor Bukstein as co-interim general managers this season, the Phoenix Suns recently started looking for a full-time GM. Several names have come up and the names that fans have really wanted to be in the discussion apparently have not. The latest rumor is a tweet from Adrian Wojnarowski.

"ESPN Sources: Phoenix owner Robert Sarver has become focused on the candidacy of former Detroit and New Orleans GM Jeff Bower to assume a high-ranking front office role with Suns."

Who? That’s not a former Suns player like Steve Nash or Charles Barkley. That isn’t a top candidate that fans dreamed of like Sam Hinkie or David Griffin. It’s not even an oft mentioned Kevin McHale or a return of Bryan Colangelo.

Then there was this…

"Sarver has discussed with prospective job candidates a senior advising role that will allow interim GM James Jones to continue in a lead front-office capacity with decision-making power, league sources said."

So, a senior advising role, not even the official title of General Manager. Who would actually be the GM? For once, put all the eggs in one basket and make a decision. Push Jones back to player relations, where he has shown he does very well and name Bower GM.

I’m all for Bower as GM, I’m fine with Jones handling player relations and I’m fine with Bukstein having a role in the front office but their roles need to be defined. At one point, there is such a thing as too many hands in the kitchen, especially with Robert Sarver being very hands on as well. This is how they should be divvied up and Bower should get the official title of General Manager.

That being said, Bower would be a good add and he isn’t a name to sleep on. Woj also had some inside scouting on him.

"Bower has been a well-respected executive in the league for two decades, earning praise for his organization and scouting acumen in 11 seasons as GM"

For fans that wanted someone with experience, he’s exactly that. He provides solid experience as he’s called the shots for over a decade in this league.

He re-wrote Hornets history when he traded franchise piece Baron Davis to the Warriors, then selected Chris Paul in the draft. Despite the disaster in Hurricane Katrina that forced the Hornets to move to Oklahoma City until the 2007–08 NBA season, he continued to build his club. Through trade, draft, and signings, they competed in their two seasons in Oklahoma, despite several injuries.

In 2007–08, the team went back home and broke out, winning 56 games and their first divisional title. He led the franchise from lottery team to contender.

In June of 2014, he was named GM of the Detroit Pistons and in June of 2016, Detroit signed him to a contract extension. He turned the Pistons from a lottery team to a playoff team in his second season on board. He was also the guy that pulled the trigger on the trade that brought Blake Griffin to Mo-Town.

He isn’t afraid to step in on a lottery team (which the Suns are), land a franchise point guard like Paul (which the Suns need) and pull the trigger on deals to quickly rebuild a team (which needs to be done in Phoenix) to change that franchise into a playoff team (please, oh please do).

No, he’s not the name that was on the tip of almost any tongues among Suns fans but if hired and given the ability to take control and make this team a playoff team, who cares? Do not sleep on Bower because he may be exactly what Phoenix needs right now.