The Suns are locking in one of the key figures behind their front office structure. Josh Bartelstein, who serves as CEO for both the Suns and the WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury, is finalizing a contract extension, owner Mat Ishbia told Shams Charania of ESPN.
Ishbia didn’t hide how important Bartelstein has become to the organization. “From day one, I knew Josh was the right person to help build the culture and organization that I envisioned in Phoenix - on and off the court,” Ishbia told ESPN.
“He is my trusted partner in every aspect of our basketball operations [Suns and Mercury] and business side as well. His knowledge of basketball, care for our players and the strong relationships he has across the NBA and WNBA have been invaluable in building our success and will continue to shape our future.
His leadership has elevated our entire organization.
“He is one of the best CEOs in all of sports, and happens to be one of the youngest, too, and I’m excited to keep working next to Josh as we continue to build on our success.”
Bartelstein, who turns 37 next week, has been in Phoenix since 2023, when Ishbia purchased his majority stake in the franchise from Robert Sarver. The son of agent Mark Bartelstein, he began his executive career in Detroit before climbing quickly through the ranks.
Elsewhere on the front office side, former Kings general manager Monte McNair is staying with the Clippers in an advisory role, according to Sam Amick of The Athletic. McNair had been in that same position with Los Angeles during the 2025/26 campaign, but his contract had expired. Instead of moving on to another team, he’ll remain with the Clippers.
McNair spent five years as Sacramento’s GM after a long run in Houston’s front office, and he was named Executive of the Year in 2023. He left the Kings in April 2025 and was later connected to a pair of president of basketball operations openings before landing with the Clippers as an advisor.
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Brooklyn has been floated only as a conceptual suitor for Watson, not an active bidder, which leaves the field a little murkier than it first appears. And with other free agents such as Larry Nance Jr., Georges Niang and Lonnie Walker IV drawing attention around the league, the Clippers interest in Watson sits in a crowded and shifting landscape where sign-and-trade mechanics, cap math and possible draft compensation could all end up mattering more than the initial buzz. [Read more 🡒]