Porter to be named new Suns coach

PHOENIX, June 7 (UPI) -- The Phoenix Suns confirmed Saturday Terry Porter will be their next head coach.

Phoenix General Manager Steve Kerr said Porter, who spent the past two seasons as an assistant coach under Flip Saunders in Detroit, will be officially introduced early next week with a three-year, $7 million deal.

Porter, 45, coached his hometown Milwaukee Bucks for two seasons, leading the club to a playoff run in his first season (2003-04). After a 30-52 record the next season, Porter was released and joined the Pistons.

Kerr and Porter were teammates for two seasons in San Antonio, Porter's last stop of his playing career.

Porter spent his first 10 seasons as a player with the Portland Trail Blazers before playing for Minnesota, Miami and the Spurs to finish out his 17-year career. The two-time All Star played in 1,274 games.

Porter succeeds Mike D'Antoni, who left Phoenix to coach the New York Knicks.