According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Phoenix Suns are hiring Brent Barry as an assistant coach.
Brent Barry is the son of NBA Hall of Famer Rick Barry. He was also a longtime NBA sharpshooter who played for six teams during his hay days.
He had previously worked with the San Antonio Spurs as an executive in the front office. This type of transition is very rare in the NBA, from front office to sideline. However, this is something that has been frequented within San Antonio.
Sean Marks was an assistant coach for the Spurs before he became the general manager for the Brooklyn Nets. Steve Kerr played for the Spurs, worked as general manager for Phoenix Suns, and then was hired to do the job of head coach of the Golden State Warriors. He didn’t have any coaching experience.
However, the transition in this case makes sense as we should account for who is hiring Barry for the team. The head coach of the Suns, Mike Budenholzer, had spent years coaching on Greg Popovich’s staff with the Spurs, so he knew what was going on.
Barry was a player when Mike Budenholzer was with the Spurs as an Assistant coach in San Antonio. So, it looks like there is a good relationship between the two. This relationship is likely the reason for this hire.
Phoenix is looking to bounce back after being swept in the first round of the last season. That is why they hired Mike Budenholzer as the head coach this offseason. And now, the Barry hire would give their team the balance needed for performing at the highest level. David Fizdale, former Grizzlies head coach is also with Suns.