After a month-long search to find Mike D’Antoni’s successor, the Phoenix Suns have finally found their man in Pistons assistant Terry Porter, who is expected to sign a three-year deal worth about $7 million. A news conference is expected early next week. As reported by ESPN:

"He's got a great combination of leadership skills," [Suns general manager Steve] Kerr said in a telephone interview with The Associated Press. "He's a great communicator. And his coaching experience, two years as a head coach, is important to me. The fact that he's sat in that chair, that was a key factor. He's very tough-minded."

Porter interviewed twice for the job, and was hired over other candidates that included Rockets assistant Elston Turner, Jazz assistant Tyrone Corbin and current TV analyst/former NBA player Mark Jackson.

 "We interviewed some great candidates, and we wanted to take our time and make sure we made the right choice," Kerr went on to add. "He's the right guy, and I'm glad to have him on board. 

The 45-year-old Porter played 17 seasons in the NBA for the Trail Blazers, Timberwolves and Spurs. During the 1999-00 and 2000-01 seasons, Porter and Kerr were teammates in San Antonio.

Porter’s coaching career began as an assistant coach position with the Sacramento Kings in 2002. In 2003, he became head coach of the Milwaukee Bucks, leading them to a playoff berth in his first season. He was fired after a disappointing second season in Milwaukee with a career coaching record of 71-93.

Porter inherits an aging team whose window of opportunity may have closed after the team failed to make it past the conference finals in each of the past four years. His goal will be to improve a Suns defense that struggled mightily under D’Antoni.

"I'm very excited," Porter said. "I'm looking forward to getting started."

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Nick Kappel is a staff member for the Business of Sports Network, which includes The Biz of Baseball, The Biz of Football, The Biz of Basketball and The Biz of Hockey.

He can be contacted through the Business of Sports Network's Author Profiles