NBA

With previous reports indicating McDonough was the favorite, we're not very surprised. McDonough will have his work cut out for him in the desert, and radio host John Gambadoro reported that the new general manager is very unlikely to keep current head coach Lindsey Hunter on the sidelines. It's a smart hire by the Suns. McDonough will be officially introduced on Thursday.

Berger identifies Bucks assistant GM Jeff Weltman and Spurs executive Scott Layden as other challengers in the ring, but it's been reported previously that it's a fight between McDonough and Weltman for which one gets the job. Whichever candidate is selected will have their work cut out for them.

Weltman was the early favorite for the job but McDonough may have gained ground after interviewing with Suns president Lon Babby and owner Robert Sarver this week. The Suns want a GM who will emphasize "advanced metrics," a welcome change for the team that inked Michael Beasley last summer.

The team plans to interview Celtics assistant GM Ryan McDonough, Milwaukee assistant GM Jeff Weltman and San Antonio assistant GM Scott Layden. It's been rumored that Weltman is the favorite for the job, but it sounds like all three have a legitimate chance at the gig. Whichever candidate is selection, he'll have a ton of work to do in the desert.

Hunter was an embarrassment as a head coach during his time at the helm of the Suns, but Phoenix's ill-constructed roster certainly didn't do him any favors. Hunter interviewed with the Pistons on Monday, but it's not a lock he returns to the sidelines in the 2013/14 campaign.

"I'm very open to Portland. They're definitely a team I'm looking forward to having talks with this summer," he said. O'Neal would fit a need for a backup center ahead of Meyers Leonard, but the Blazers desperately need a legitimate starting center with LaMarcus Aldridge wanting to remain at power forward. Ideally, the team would get a rim protector to complement LMA.

"It's just an interview, like any other," he said. "Hopefully, I'll continue to gain interest from other people." That isn't really sounding like a ringing endorsement about his tenure in Phoenix, but Hunter is just playing a leverage game as he looks to continue coaching next year. For what it's worth, Hunter feels he's still a "strong candidate" in Phoenix, but a new general manager might feel differently when hired.