CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Earl Boykins had a message for Kyrie Irving after Wednesday's reports that Cavaliers coach Mike Brown has hired assistant Igor Kokoskov.

"You're going to love this guy," Boykins said in a telephone interview from his home in Denver. "He believes point guards should have the ball all the time."

Kokoskov, a Serbian native who became a U.S. citizen in 2010, has spent 13 years in the NBA, starting with the Los Angeles Clippers and then the Detroit Pistons before joining the Phoenix Suns five years ago. He served as the Suns' unofficial offensive coordinator after Lindsay Hunter replaced Alvin Gentry earlier this season.

The Cavs have not confirmed the hire, which was reported by the Arizona Republic and ESPN's Marc Stein. The Suns hired Jeff Hornacek as their new head coach on Tuesday.

Boykins was with Kokoskov for two seasons in Los Angeles, where Kokoskov became the first full-time foreign-born assistant coach in NBA history in 2000. He also is the coach of the Georgian national team featuring Zaza Pachulia.

"He's very, very creative," said Boykins, who hopes for one more shot in the NBA next season. "I liked Igor. A real good guy. He only gave you suggestions. He didn't tell you, 'You should do this or you should do that.' The way that he approached players, he's very personable. He has a lot of tricks."

Kokoskov is the second assistant hired by Brown, joining Phil Handy, the Lakers former development coach. Assistant Jamahl Mosley remains on the staff.