Turner joins Porter, Jackson as candidates for Suns job

PHOENIX -- The Phoenix Suns will interview Houston Rockets assistant Elston Turner as a replacement for former head coach Mike D'Antoni.

The interview will be next week, the team said Friday.

Turner, 48, has been an assistant to coach Rick Adelman for 11 years with Portland, Sacramento and Houston.

Turner joins Terry Porter and Mark Jackson as candidates.

Porter, a Detroit Pistons assistant and former head coach at Milwaukee, was interviewed by Suns general manager Steve Kerr on Tuesday. The Suns were to talk with Jackson, a TV analyst and former player, on Friday.

Turner was known as a rugged defender in eight seasons as an NBA player. Improved defense is one of Kerr's goals.

Phoenix is seeking a replacement for D'Antoni, who resigned to coach the New York Knicks.