Former Suns general manager Steve Kerr returning to TNT next season

Former Suns GM Steve Kerr returning to TNT

NEW YORK — Steve Kerr is headed back to the TV table, and he plans to stay there for a while.

The former Phoenix Suns general manager agreed to rejoin TNT as a game analyst Monday and will begin work starting with the 2010-11 season.

Kerr spent four seasons calling games for TNT before taking the Phoenix job in 2007. He announced earlier this month he was leaving the Suns, shortly after they reached the Western Conference finals.

The five-time NBA champion said he wanted to spend more time with his family. He has two high school children and another in the seventh grade.

“Part of this is living a normal lifestyle again,” Kerr said in a phone interview. “I’ve got family situations I want to be a part of and can stay in the game and be a part of things. I still get to enjoy the game itself but also be in a better position.”

Kerr said he was thinking of leaving the Suns even during the season and decided to make the move after TNT approached him to replace Doug Collins, who took the Philadelphia 76ers’ coaching job. Kerr said he’s “locked in definitely for the next few years,” even if he is offered another front-office position.

Kerr will be part of TNT’s Thursday night doubleheader coverage, plus the network’s All-Star weekend and playoff coverage. It hasn’t yet been decided who he will work with. He will also contribute to NBA TV and nba.com.

There was some surprise when Kerr left the Suns after such a successful season, especially with the team about to begin negotiations on a new contract for forward Amare Stoudemire. But the decision was fairly easy for Kerr.

“I could stay in the game and be a part of a team, and part of a family at Turner,” he said.