Suns Hire Ryan McDonough, Key in Celtics’ Player Evaluation for Last Decade, as General Manager

From Rajon Rondo and Glen Davis to Avery Bradley and Jared Sullinger, the Celtics had a key player behind the scenes aiding their player evaluation efforts.

That man, Ryan McDonough, will no longer be working toward bringing an 18th championship banner to Boston. The 33-year-old was named general manager of the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday, making the Hingham, Mass., native one of the youngest GMs in the NBA. (Orlando’s Rob Hennigan, also a Massachusetts native, is the youngest, hired last June at age 30.)

McDonough takes over one of the most challenging jobs in the league: rebuilding a once-proud franchise that has fallen into disarray in recent years. The Suns were the worst team in the Western Conference this season with a record of 25-57.