Brent Barry is leaving the broadcast booth for a front-office position with the San Antonio Spurs.
ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported Barry is joining the Spurs in an undisclosed capacity. The former NBA guard won two championships with the Spurs and played four seasons with the franchise.
Barry, 46, has spent most of his post-playing career in broadcasting.
The Atlanta Hawks spoke with him about their general manager opening in 2017, and the Detroit Pistons considered him for their opening this offseason, per Wojnarowski. The Golden State Warriors also attempted to hire him as a scout.
Barry has no NBA front-office experience. He's appeared knowledgeable calling games from the broadcast booth and as an analyst on studio shows, but this is a foray into a whole different line of work.
Barry played four seasons with the Spurs, winning titles in 2005 and 2007. He returns to San Antonio at a turbulent time for the franchise. Several key players – including Barry’s former teammate, Tony Parker – have left the team.
Barry played for the Spurs from 2004 until 2008, winning two NBA titles with San Antonio in 2005 and 2007. During his four years in San Antonio, Barry averaged 7.2 points, 2.2 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game on 45.3 percent from the field and 40.4 percent from beyond the arc in 261 appearances and 42 starts.
San Antonio's RC Buford and Gregg Popovich have been enthusiastic about bringing Barry into the team's management almost since his retirement in 2009.
Barry, 46, will replace Monty Williams, who left to become an assistant coach with the Philadelphia 76ers, sources said."
The Spurs will go through a transition period entering the 2018-19 season. For the first time in nearly two decades, they'll be without Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker. Ginobili retired during the offseason, while Parker bolted San Antonio for the Charlotte Hornets on a two-year deal.
