Former Lakers AC to join Frank Vogel, Suns coaching staff

The Suns are adding former Grizzlies and Knicks head coach David Fizdale to be an assistant on Frank Vogel‘s coaching staff, sources tell Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN (Twitter link).

According to Wojnarowski, Phoenix made a “significant financial play” to lure Fizdale away from his current position as associate general manager of the Jazz. John Gambadoro of Arizona Sports 98.7 FM, who first reported that Fizdale was a prime candidate to join Vogel in Phoenix, hears that Fizdale tripled his salary and will be making in the range of $1.2-1.5M annually (Twitter link).

Gambadoro writes that Fizdale was happy with his job in Utah, but enjoyed working with Vogel after spending the 2021-22 season on his staff with the Lakers. Wojnarowski notes that Fizdale also has experience with Suns president of basketball operations and GM James Jones, as they spent several years together in Miami when Jones was a player, winning a couple of championships.

Fizdale, who played college ball at San Diego from 1992-96, became an assistant coach at his alma mater in 1998. He made the transition to the NBA in 2003 and served as an assistant coach for the Warriors, Hawks, and Heat before being hired as the head coach of the Grizzlies in 2016. The 48-year-old had brief head coaching stints in Memphis and New York, compiling a 71-134 record (.346 winning percentage) and making one playoff appearance.