The Los Angeles Lakers have already found a replacement for Jason Kidd. According to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, the team is hiring David Fizdale as an assistant coach in Frank Vogel’s staff.
The Lakers are finalizing a deal to hire former Knicks and Grizzlies coach David Fizdale as an assistant coach, sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 30, 2021
Kidd was hired by the Dallas Mavericks last week to replace former head coach Rick Carlisle. He was linked to several open positions after two seasons on the Lakers’ bench.
Fizdale is an experienced coach in the NBA. He was viewed as one of the top assistants in the league on the Miami Heat during LeBron James’ playing days there. Since then, he has had head coaching experiences with the Memphis Grizzlies and New York Knicks without much success.
Kidd seemed to be a LeBron favorite on the coaching staff and Fizdale will hold the same type of reverance from the superstar.
The Lakers have a wealth of experience on their coaching staff between Vogel, Fizdale, and Lionel Hollins – the latter two both being former Grizzlies head coaches.
Fizdale also coached Marc Gasol in Memphis for a little more than a season and the two famously did not have a great relationship though Gasol later called it “not that personal.” Gasol is under contract for one more season.
Kidd was reportedly the highest paid assistant coach in the NBA but Fizdale’s contract situation has not been reported yet. Vogel only has one year remaining under contract though it’s likely that he will receive a contract extension.
