Suns GM search heating up with familiar names

The Suns general manager search is heating up.

Phoenix is talking to former Timberwolves general manager and TNT analyst Kevin McHale and Bulls consultant Jim Paxson, according to The New York Times.

In the early stages of the Suns' GM search, Phoenix has spoken to TNT's Kevin McHale (former Wolves GM & coach + former Rockets coach) and likewise has interest in Bulls consultant Jim Paxson (former Cavs GM), league sources say

— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) March 21, 2019

According to the report, the Suns already have contacted McHale about the position.

The Suns have been without a permanent GM since the team fired Ryan McDonough one week before the season began. Vice president of basketball operations James Jones and assistant general manager Trevor Bukstein have taken over GM duties for now.

McHale spent two seasons as the coach of the Timberwolves and five seasons as the coach of the Rockets. He also spent more than 10 years as the vice president of basketball operations in Minnesota.

He was fired by the Rockets in 2015, which prompted him to move on to become a TNT analyst.

Paxson has been with the Bulls since 2006. Before that, he was the Cavaliers' GM from 1999-2005.