Suns to reduce Lon Babby's role, empower Ryan McDonough

(Photo: Rob Schumacher/azcentral sports)There are grandsons back East to visit. There are Valley community endeavors he would like to undertake. Retirement is calling, but Lon Babby is not ready to answer because the Suns remain an unfinished work in Phoenix.

Babby's second contract as Suns president of basketball operations will expire at the end of July but he will remain a part-time senior adviser. Suns General Manager Ryan McDonough takes over as head of basketball operations.

Babby, 64, never intended to stay past his first three-year contract but he is smitten with Phoenix, where he will stay involved in Suns contract negotiations and salary-cap management. The change will not be a…