When you have as much success as the Los Angeles Lakers have enjoyed this season, it’s likely that teams around the league will look to your franchise for reinforcements to add to their own organization. Among the Lakers’ brightest and most coveted assets is player development coach Phil Handy; according to SNY’s Ian Begley, the Brooklyn Nets are considering adding him to newly hired head coach Steve Nash’s staff.
Handy has a history with Nets star Kyrie Irving who he was instrumental in developing during the Cavs’ Finals runs with LeBron James. He also was on the Lakers’ coaching staff during Nash’s short tenure in LA.
In LA this season, Handy has been crucial for the developments of several players with Kyle Kuzma and Alex Caruso perhaps the most notable. Still, even Anthony Davis has seemingly improved under Handy’s tutelage, especially on the offensive end with his passing. It cannot be overstated how important of an addition Handy has been to the Lakers’ organization.
Handy is currently in his sixth straight NBA Finals, appearing on the staffs for the Cavaliers and the Toronto Raptors before joining the Lakers this summer under Frank Vogel’s staff. The Nets are expected to be a contender for reaching the Finals once Irving and Kevin Durant return from their respective injuries.
Ultimately, if the Nets do make an offer for Handy, it will be his decision whether he stays or goes. But the Lakers should make that decision as difficult as possible for him by doing everything they can to keep him in LA for a long time.
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