(Sports Network) – The Suns rebounded nicely this year after the Terry Porter debacle but that didn’t stop Steve Kerr from announcing that he would not return as president and general manager when his contract expires on June 30.
Kerr intends to go back to broadcasting, his career before taking over Phoenix’s reins three years ago.
After Kerr announced his intention to leave, owner Robert Sarver exercised head coach Alvin Gentry’s contract option for the 2011-12 season. That was a no-brainer since Gentry has excelled since taking over as the Suns’ interim head coach after Porter was fired at the All-Star break during the 2008-09 campaign.
Gentry guided the club to an 18-13 record in the second half of that year, though Phoenix missed the playoffs for the first time since 2003. In 2009-10, Gentry had more success, helping the Suns go 54-28 in the regular season before a six-game series loss to the eventual champion Lakers in the Western Conference finals.
Even with All-Star power forward Amar’e Stoudemire, who is expected to leave via free agency, the Suns were lacking on the defensive boards.
Since the team won’t be selecting until the 46th overall selection in the second round, help probably won’t be coming from this draft.
Players under contract: G Leandro Barbosa; F Earl Clark; G Goran Dragic; F Jared Dudley; F Taylor Griffin; C Robin Lopez; G Steve Nash; G Jason Richardson; F: Grant Hill
Free agents: F: Louis Amundson (Unrestricted); C Jarron Collins (Unrestricted); C Channing Frye (Player Option); F Amar’e Stoudemire (ETO)
Draft picks: 2nd round (46th overall, 60th overall)