The Los Angeles Lakers had a relatively lengthy shortlist of potential head coaches before they finally settled on JJ Redick — or at least they were linked to more than a few coaching candidates throughout their hire process.
One man, however, who was never in contention was former assistant coach Phil Handy.
Los Angeles Lakers News: Phil Handy Will Not Return Despite Interest From Team
Handy, whose first stint with the Lakers dated all the way back to 2011, returned as an assistant coach in 2019. The 52-year-old, however, was relieved of his duty as part of the coaching purge following the firing of Darvin Ham.
Now that Redick is sitting at the helm, the Lakers are reportedly interested in bringing Handy back as an assistant. Handy, however, wants nothing to do with LA at this point.
This report comes via Lakers insider Anthony Irwin of Lakers Daily:
“Phil Handy is also unlikely. The Lakers are more open to bringing him back, but sources say he was not at all happy with not being considered for the head coach position the last two opportunities,” Irwin wrote.
Not only was the tenured Handy overlooked for the head coaching post during the past two hiring cycles, but he was also unceremoniously dismissed from his duties earlier this summer.
I wouldn’t want to return either, so you can’t help but understand where Handy is coming from here in terms of wanting to distance himself from the Lakers organization. Honestly, it’s actually quite odd that LA even wants him back so soon after firing him.
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