PHOENIX (AP) — 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.

The 48-year-old Turner 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.