Report: Kerr won't return as Suns GM

A 54-28 regular-season record and a trip to the Western Conference finals by the Suns wasn't enough to keep Steve Kerr in Phoenix.

Kerr will not return after three years as the team's president of basketball operations and general manager, according to a report by The Arizona Republic on Tuesday.

Kerr's contract with the Suns was set to expire on June 30.

Kerr was expecting to return to the team until contract negotiations began and an opportunity to return to television as a NBA commentator compelled him to leave.

"I wouldn't say it's a big surprise," Suns Managing Partner Robert Sarver told the Republic . "Television is what he did before he came on board. It's a change of plans from during the season. It boiled down to a number of things, including lifestyle and the opportunity. I was hoping to have him back."

Kerr reportedly was asked to accept a salary cut during the negotiations, but Sarver said that those financial negotiations only played a "small part" in Kerr's decision to leave the team.

Kerr previously worked as a TNT game analyst and will have an opportunity to return to that position with lead commentator Doug Collins becoming the Philadelphia 76ers' newest head coach.