The Phoenix Suns are reportedly retaining one of their past assistant coaches under new coach Mike Budenholzer after all.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!ESPN‘s Adrian Wojnarowski reports “David Fizdale is returning to the Phoenix Suns in a prominent assistant coaching role on Mike Budenholzer’s staff, sources tell ESPN. Fizdale had been on Frank Vogel’s staff and now Budenholzer is keeping the two-time NBA head coach as part of his new group on bench.”
David Fizdale is returning to the Phoenix Suns in a prominent assistant coaching role on Mike Budenholzer’s staff, sources tell ESPN. Fizdale had been on Frank Vogel’s staff and now Budenholzer is keeping the two-time NBA head coach as part of his new group on bench. pic.twitter.com/HckzHhF8m5
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) May 29, 2024
The Athletic‘s Shams Charania had previously reported that Fizdale was going to transition to a new front office role with the hiring of Budenholzer, but then later wrote Fizdale was not going to accept.
Bleacher Report and TNT’s Chris Haynes reported a few weeks ago that “Phoenix Suns assistants under former head coach Frank Vogel were informed that they will not be retained by Mike Budenholzer, league sources tell @NBAonTNT, @BleacherReport.”
Instead, Fizdale is the second reported addition to Budenholzer’s staff after he reportedly landed one of his previous assistants, Vince Legarza, two days ago, according to AZ Central’s Duane Rankin.
Fizdale was known as a well-regarded assistant coach when LeBron James went to the Miami Heat. After James left, he was promoted to be the Heat’s associate head coach from 2014-16. Fizdale then was hired as the head coach of the Memphis Grizzlies from 2016-18 and New York Knicks from 2018-20. Since, he has only been a part of dismissed Suns coach Frank Vogel’s staffs, in the 2021-22 season with the Los Angeles Lakers and this past season with Phoenix.
Fizdale, 49, was with Miami from 2009-2016 and before that was an assistant with the Atlanta Hawks (2004-08) and Golden State Warriors (2003-04).
This move also increases the speculation of the Suns’ interest in landing Bronny and LeBron James.
LeBron, Savannah and David Fizdale were all there for Bronny after his win. pic.twitter.com/Vlq4Xk2bm6
— ESPN (@espn) January 29, 2020
Report: Suns land first assistant coach under Mike Budenholzer
*Get the BEST Phoenix sports insider information, exclusive content, and access to our seasonal magazines! SIGN UP HERE to unlock our premium content!*
Brendan Mau is a senior writer covering the Phoenix Suns and more for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on X via @Brendan_Mau
