In addition to the numerous experienced names on the Los Angeles Lakers coaching staff for next season, the Lakers have hired yet another highly-regarded name in the coaching space, who also happens to be one with a lot of direct experience with LeBron James.
Marc Spears of ESPN’s The Undefeated reported on Sunday afternoon that the Lakers have hired former Toronto Raptors and Cleveland Cavaliers assistant coach Phil Handy. Handy is perhaps most well-known for his ability to coach ball-handling to enhance player development.
Handy has gone to the last five NBA Finals as an assistant, four years with Cleveland and last year with the Raptors. He’s also had plenty of support from people in LeBron’s world. In addition to knowing LeBron first-hand, Handy was credited for working with Kyrie Irving over the years and the improvement of players such as Pascal Siakam only add to his resume.
LeBron even had a workout with Handy last summer alongside Kawhi Leonard, Kevin Durant and his former Cavs teammate Cedi Osman.
While the Lakers front office was reportedly very critical of the assistant coaches surrounding Luke Walton lacking experience, they’ve added an experienced stable of former head coaches and in Handy have one of the most highly-regarded player development coaches in the NBA today.
