:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/59658713/607269.jpg.0.jpg)
Former Sonics guard Brent “Bones” Barry has been an NBA analyst for the past two years, working for TNT alongside such names as Mark Jackson, Marv Albert, and even former Sonics play-by-play man Kevin Calabro. In that role, he has shown a knowledge of the game that could potentially lead him to new gig, as Barry’s name has come up recently for a potential front office job.
Last year, the Atlanta Hawks had expressed interest in hiring him as their General Manager according to Adrian Wojnarowski, who was with Yahoo at the time. Barry was also pursued by the Golden State Warriors, who wanted to hire him as a scout, according to Wojnarowski. In fact, the two sides had gotten to the point of negotiating contract terms, but couldn’t come to an agreement due to Barry’s TV obligations.
The latest smoke has come again from Adrian Wojnarowski, now with ESPN, who claims that Bones could be in line for a role with the Detroit Pistons, who dismissed their coach/GM Stan Van Gundy earlier today.
Sources: One candidate expected to be strongly considered for a role in a revamped Pistons front office -- Brent Barry.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) May 7, 2018
Barry’s former agent, Arn Tellem, is the vice chairman for the Pistons. According to Woj, Barry would not be in consideration for the GM job as the team wants a more experienced candidate. Instead, he would play a “complementary role in learning the front-office business.”
TrueHoop’s Kevin Arnovitz also named Barry as one of his “Five NBA coaching prospects to watch.” However, according to Arnovitz, Barry would rather work in a front office position first to “study the architecture and mechanics of an NBA franchise” before making the move to the bench. This would mirror what Steve Kerr did as GM of the Phoenix Suns before becoming head coach of the Warriors and leading them to a pair of NBA Championships.
The selfish side of me would be a little disappointed, as I wanted to see Barry and Calabro team up to be the broadcast team for a new Sonics franchise. However, if Barry could get his feet wet in a managerial position in time to join Seattle as either a GM or coach, that could be favorable too.