Former Spurs executive Brent Barry hired as assistant coach by Phoenix Suns: Report

Kevin Durant, Bradley Beal and Devin Booker make up a talented roster for the Phoenix Suns that is quite popular in the NBA. Frank Vogel was fired this offseason, being replaced by Mike Budenholzer, an NBA champion in 2021. ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported that Brent Barry, son of Hall of Famer Rick Barry, is likely to be named an assistant coach. Barry, renowned for his shooting skills in the NBA, played for six different teams and served as an executive in the San Antonio Spurs front office.

While the move from the front office to the sidelines is somewhat unusual, it’s a move that typically occurs within the San Antonio network. Sean Marks, for example, was an assistant coach for the Spurs but later became the general manager of the Brooklyn Nets. Another example is Steve Kerr who previously played for the Spurs and served as the general manager of the Phoenix Suns before being named head coach of the Golden State Warriors despite his lack of prior coaching experience.

Brent Barry joins Suns staff with ties to Mike Budenholzer

The connections between Suns coach Mike Budenholzer and new hire Brent Barry explain the coaching change. Barry was under the wing of Budenholzer – a former Gregg Popovich staffer with the Spurs – during his time with the Spurs. It is possible that this previous connection between the two contributed to Barry’s recruitment to the Suns.

Despite the high skills of their playmaking unit, the Suns finished sixth in the Western Conference, suffering a crushing loss to the Anthony Edwards-led Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round of the NBA playoffs.

Budenholzer’s coaching staff in Phoenix is ​​expected to be rounded out with Barry’s appointment, with former Grizzlies head coach David Fizdale the most familiar face besides Budenholzer. The Suns aim to bounce back from last season’s devastating opening-round loss to the Timberwolves by drafting Budenholzer, who remains their significant offseason change.

READ ALSO: Steve Kerr reveals he wasn’t impressed with Anthony Edwards during pre-draft process: ‘He didn’t know anything’

Brent Barry’s career stats and accomplishments

Brent Barry, born December 31, 1971, played in the NBA for 14 years and is now the executive director of the San Antonio Spurs. During his career, he played for the Los Angeles Clippers, Miami Heat, Chicago Bulls, Seattle SuperSonics, San Antonio Spurs and Houston Rockets, winning two championships in 2005 and 2007.

Here are his detailed stats per team:

Los Angeles Clippers (1995–1998):

– Games: 179

– Points per game: 10.4

– 3-point percentage: 38.0%

– Total points: 1,862

Miami Heat (1998):

– Games: 17

– Points per game: 4.1

– 3-point percentage: 29.4%

– Total points: 70

Chicago Bulls (1999):

– Games: 37

– Points per game: 11.1

– 3-point percentage: 34.9%

– Total points: 412

Seattle SuperSonics (1999–2004):

– Games: 328

– Points per game: 11.2

– 3-point percentage: 40.0%

– Total points: 4,107

San Antonio Spurs (2004–2008):

– Games: 284

– Points per game: 6.8

– 3-point percentage: 41.1%

– Total points: 1,945

Houston Rockets (2008–2009):

– Games: 24

– Points per game: 2.2

– 3-point percentage: 33.3%

– Total points: 53

Overall, Barry averaged 9.3 points, 3.2 assists and 3.0 rebounds per game, shooting a remarkable 40.5 percent from three-point range. He also won the Slam Dunk Contest in 1996.

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