Lakers’ Ex-Player Development Coach Eyed by 2 Contenders

After a one-year hiatus, former Los Angeles Lakers assistant coach Phil Handy is expected to be back in the NBA next season.

According to NBA insider Marc Stein, two teams have registered interest in the longtime assistant, whose focus is on player development.

“Update on Phil Handy emerging as a candidate for the Mavericks’ coaching staff: It’s believed that the Knicks also have interest in Handy for Mike Brown’s new staff in New York after they worked together with the Lakers and Cavaliers,” Stein wrote on X.

The Mavericks have an opening for their player development coach after God Shammgod bolted this offseason to join the Orlando Magic.

On the other hand, the Knicks are also filling out their new coach Mike Brown’s staff, with an eye on strong player development to augment their expensive core amid rising payroll.

Both teams have a strong connection to Handy.

It was Brown, who gave Handy his first major break in the NBA when he hired him as a player development coach on his staff with Lakers in 2011. In Los Angeles, Handy formed a strong bond with the late Kobe Bryant.

Handy followed Brown when he went to Cleveland in 2013. The Cavaliers retained him even after firing Brown in 2014. In Cleveland, Handy worked with future Lakers star LeBron James and future Mavericks star Kyrie Irving, whom he had a close working relationship.

After six seasons with the Cavaliers, Handy joined the Toronto Raptors in 2018, then re-joined the Lakers from 2019 to 2024. He went to six consecutive NBA Finals with the Cavaliers, Raptors and Lakers from 2015 to 2020. He won a championship with each of those teams — the 2016 Cavaliers, 2019 Raptors, and 2020 Lakers.

Lakers Star Credited Phil Handy’s Work

Getty Austin Reaves of the Los Angeles Lakers worked closely with Phil Handy.

In his last stop with the Lakers, he worked closely with Austin Reaves, aiding the rapid development of the undrafted guard into the team’s third star behind James and Anthony Davis.

“We put a lot of work together before and after practice and sometimes at night,” Reaves told Heavy Sports in 2024. He’s the guy there that’s kind of been my main coach that I’ve really been working out with.”

But the Lakers did not retain Handy when JJ Redick took over from Darvin Ham, shifting the team’s player development program from individual to a wholistic approach and team context.

During his one-year hiatus from the NBA, Handy served as head coach in Unrivaled, a 3-on-3 women’s basketball league. Handy guided the Mist BC, led by WNBA stars Breanna Stewart, Rickea Jackson and Jewell Loyd to a 5-9 record, narrowly reaching the playoffs.

2 Teams Eyeing Phil Handy Linked to LeBron James Rumors

Whichever between the Knicks and Mavericks Handy chooses to join, rumors about James will follow.

Jovan Buha, former Lakers beat reporter for The Athletic, has linked both the Knicks and Mavericks as two of the four potential landing spots for James if the Lakers star seeks a trade.

James sent a veiled threat to the Lakers through his agent, Rich Paul, Klutch Sports CEO, after picking up his $52.6 million player option.

“LeBron wants to compete for a championship,” Paul told ESPN. “He knows the Lakers are building for the future. He understands that, but he values a realistic chance of winning it all. We are very appreciative of the partnership that we’ve had for eight years with Jeanie [Buss] and Rob [Pelinka] and consider the Lakers as a critical part of his career.”

The Lakers made a seismic organizational pivot from James when they traded for Doncic, swapping Anthony Davis, James’ closest friend on the team and a fellow Klutch Sports client. Upon Doncic’s arrival, the Lakers quickly catered to his demands, leading to the rescinded Mark Williams trade, which didn’t go unnoticed in James’ camp.

“We understand the difficulty in winning now while preparing for the future,” Paul continued. “We do want to evaluate what’s best for LeBron at this stage in his life and career. He wants to make every season he has left count, and the Lakers understand that, are supportive and want what’s best for him.”