The Associated Press is reporting that TNT NBA analyst Steve Kerr will be hired by the Phoenix Suns as the new general manager, following the completion of his duties with TNT. Obviously, Kerr would leave the network.
If this holds true, with whom will TNT replace Kerr, its lead analyst? One would imagine Doug Collins would be a candidate; Collins was the lead analyst with NBC from 1998 to 2002, and is regarded as one of the best color commentators in the game. Currently, Collins works on the secondary broadcast team for TNT with play-by-play man Kevin Harlan, joining Marv Albert and Kerr during the All-Star Game and NBA Finals.
Mike Fratello, is more likely, assuming he does not return to coaching. Albert and Fratello were the lead team on NBC from 1990 to 1993, and the lead team on TNT/TBS recently.
The odds of a wild-card joining TNT are unlikely; the network has been remarkably stable during the six-years of this most recent television contract.
No matter what the case, it appears likely that TNT will lose one of the best up-and-coming analysts in the game.
