In Phoenix, Duane Rankin wroteSuns Owner Robert Sarver has been "blamed for pretty much everything that’s wrong" with his team, and that will "reach an unprecedented level if they don’t start turning it around soon." New coach Monty Williams is "well respected league-wide" and if the Suns "remain one of the NBA’s worst teams, Williams won’t have to shoulder most of the blame." If the Suns "keep reeling," GM James Jones "will face criticism, but Sarver will face more" (ARIZONA REPUBLIC, 5/9).
GETTING A FEEL: In Minneapolis, Sid Hartman noted the question for new T'Wolves President of Basketball Operations Gersson Rosas is whether team Owner Glen Taylor will "insist Rosas keep Ryan Saunders as coach." Another "difficult area Rosas must navigate" is the T'Wolves' salary cap, as the team already has $111.7M in salary "allocated to 10 players for next season." Next year's salary cap is not yet set, but the '18-19 figure was $101.9M and the luxury tax was $123.7M (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 5/9).
DOING WHAT THEY CAN: In Chicago, K.C. Johnson notes a "personal touch" from the Bulls front office with fans is "becoming more widespread in an attempt to keep critical financial streams -- the season ticket base, premium-seating members (suite holders) and corporate sponsorships -- strong." Bulls President & COO Michael Reinsdorf "routinely responds to emails from fans," while Exec VP/Basketball Operations John Paxson and GM Gar Forman "attend sporadic question-and-answer or 'chalk talk' sessions with season ticket holders." Bulls coach Jim Boylen "spent a recent Saturday meeting with season ticket holders, some of whom had renewed and some still on the fence" (CHICAGOTRIBUNE.com, 5/9).
