The 2020-21 campaign was tremendous for the Phoenix Suns, despite falling short in the NBA Finals against the Milwaukee Bucks. Nevertheless, the future looks bright for this organization. Just days removed from losing Game 6, the Suns have already lost a key figure of their front office.
Most people won't know Jeff Bower because he's more of a behind-the-scenes guy, essentially serving as GM James Jones' right-hand man. Bower joined the Suns in 2019 and brought a wealth of experience to the job.
He was previously the General Manager of the Detroit Pistons between 2014 and 2018 before moving onto Phoenix. Bower also spent many years with New Orleans and was actually instrumental in the organization selecting Chris Paul fourth overall in the 2005 NBA Draft out of Wake Forest.
Bower even spent time as the head coach of NOLA before a coaching stint with Marist in the NCAA briefly in 2013-14. However, he eventually returned to the NBA with Detroit. Obviously, not a lot of people know much about Bower, but he's a brilliant basketball mind who was surely a vital part of the Suns‘ rebuild. Given his relationship with CP3, he was probably an important factor in signing the 11-time All-Star last offseason.
Best wishes to Jeff Bower in whatever journey is next in his basketball career.