PHOENIX – Phoenix Suns CEO Josh Bartelstein made The Athletic’s “40 Under 40 NBA” list this offseason.

Bartelstein has been owner Mat Ishbia’s right-hand man since the transition nearly two years ago and is well on his way to making a name for himself in NBA circles in the future.

“Bartelstein is Mat Ishbia’s highest-ranking signing since he took over the franchise last February. The son of high-profile agent Mark Bartelstein, Josh has made a name for himself around the league. On the business side, he’s already made an impression in Phoenix by helping the Suns become the first NBA team to switch its local broadcast from a regional sports network to a terrestrial broadcast channel,” Mike Vorkunov wrote.

“He has adapted quickly to the job after joining last spring from the Detroit Pistons, where he held a role that spanned both the business and basketball sides of the franchise.”

After his hiring, Ishbia made the following offer to Bartelstein:

“Josh understands our culture and values ​​and shares our strategic vision for the Suns and Mercury,” Ishbia said.

“His proven leadership skills and extensive experience on both the business and basketball sides of an organization put him in a unique position to transform the teams on and off the court into the best basketball franchises.”

The company culture has certainly changed from the previous owner to what Ishbia has built today, and Bartelstein can take some of the credit for the work he has done and the path he will continue to pave.