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Suns add Bjorkgren, Watson, Gaines to coaching staff

PHOENIX -- The Suns have added Nate Bjorkgren and former NBA players Earl Watson and Corey Gaines to Jeff Hornacek's coaching staff and shifted Mark West from the bench to the front office as vice president of player relations.

The Suns said Thursday that Bjorkgren will serve as assistant coach/player development coordinator and that Watson and Gaines will be assistant coaches.

The team also made Jason Fraser a player development assistant, promoted Bubba Burrage to director of player personnel in addition to his duties as general manager of the NBA Development League's Bakersfield Jam, and added Courtney Witte as director of scouting and Antonio Williams as a scout.

Bjorkgren was 34-16 last season as Bakersfield's head coach. He also was the head coach of the Phoenix team that finished second this month in the Las Vegas Summer League. Gaines, Watson and Fraser assisted Bjorkgren in Las Vegas.

Watson and Fraser spent last season as assistant coaches with the D-League's Austin Spurs.

Gaines spent the past five seasons as a player development coach with the Suns. He also was head coach and an assistant with the WNBA's Phoenix Mercury.

West was an assistant coach the past two years.