Fiz is back and in a more prominent role for Budenholzer and the Suns.
There was ambiguity regarding David Fizdale’s involvement with the Phoenix Suns, following the parting of ways with Frank Vogel. Swiftly following the coaching change, the Suns offered Fizdale a “new front office role,” as reported by The Atheltic which led to an intermission of sorts over the last two weeks as the dust settled on the changes that took place.
As confirmed by ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Fizdale has now accepted a “prominent assistant coaching role” and the Suns have retained one of the league’s most valued sideline presences, for Budenholzer’s brain trust.
David Fizdale is returning to the Phoenix Suns in a prominent assistant coaching role on Mike Budenholzer’s staff, sources tell ESPN. Fizdale had been on Frank Vogel’s staff and now Budenholzer is keeping the two-time NBA head coach as part of his new group on bench. pic.twitter.com/HckzHhF8m5
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) May 29, 2024
Budenholzer is working to fill out the rest of his brain trust. It’ll be intriguing to see how the strengths of each of these coaches play off one another, as the construction of the previous rendition — while deemed solid from the outside looking in — quickly withered. It showed in the lack of buy-in generated late in the season.
Fizdale withstanding speaks to his staying power and value, but also presents him with a unique opportunity, as he’ll be the only coach on staff that can recount scenarios from the past seasons, in the sense of course correcting.
His experiences from last season alone will provide tons of value going forward, in addition to his general basketball background.
Fizdale came to the Phoenix Suns last offseason, having last coached in 2022 as a member of Frank Vogel’s staff. Prior to his one-year stop with the Lakers, Fizdale was the head coach of the Memphis Grizzlies (2016-18) and New York Knicks (2018-20).
His coaching career in the NBA began as an assistant with the Golden State Warriors for the 1003-04 season, followed by four seasons with the Atlanta Hawks (2004-08) and 8 seasons with the Miami Heat (2008-16), the last two of which he was the associate head coach.