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, which is quite popular in the NBA. Frank Vogel was fired in the offseason and replaced by Mike Budenholzer, a 2021 NBA champion. ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski has reported that Brent Barry, the son of famous Hall of Famer Rick Barry, will likely be hired as an assistant coach. Barry, known for his sharpshooting skills in the NBA, has played for six different teams and was an executive in the front office of the San Antonio Spurs

While the move from the front office to the sidelines is somewhat unusual, it is a move that occurs frequently within the San Antonio network. For example, Sean Marks 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 was the general manager of the Phoenix Suns before being hired as the head coach of the Golden State Warriors, despite his lack of previous coaching experience.

Brent Barry joins Suns staff with ties to Mike Budenholzer

The connections between Suns coach Mike Budenholzer and the newly hired Brent Barry explain the coaching change. Barry had been under the wing of Budenholzer – a former staffer of Gregg Popovich at Spurs – during his time with the Spurs. This previous connection between the two may have contributed to Barry’s recruitment to the Suns.

Despite the high skill of their squad, the Suns finished in the sixth division of the Western Conference, suffering a crushing defeat to the Anthony Edwards-led Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round of the NBA playoffs.

As expected, Budenholzer’s coaching unit in Phoenix will be complete with Barry’s hire, with David Fizdale, the former Grizzlies head coach, the most familiar face besides Budenholzer. The Suns are looking to rebound from a devastating opening-round loss to the Timberwolves last season by recruiting Budenholzer, which remains their significant offseason move.

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

Brent Barry’s Career Stats and Achievements

Brent Barry, born on December 31, 1971, played 14 years in the NBA and is now an executive 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 by 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, with a remarkable 40.5% shooting percentage from the three-point line. He also won the Slam Dunk Contest in 1996.

READ ALSO: Kevin Durant’s injury update for Team USA’s Olympic Games opener against Serbia; NBA Insider reveals key details