Report: Suns set to interview former Grizzlies coach Fizdale on Wednesday
Apr 17, 2018, 9:14 PM
Memphis Grizzlies head coach David Fizdale gestures from the sideline in the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Phoenix Suns, Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2017, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill)
(AP Photo/Brandon Dill)
With reports surfacing of the Phoenix Suns spending Monday and Tuesday with Atlanta Hawks head coach Mike Budenholzer, the team is still set to interview other candidates for their head coaching vacancy.
That includes former Grizzlies head coach David Fizdale, who is reportedly set to meet with the Suns on Wednesday, according to the New York Times’ Marc Stein.
The 43-year-old Fizdale led the Memphis Grizzlies to 43 wins last season and a playoff appearance in his first season as an NBA head coach. That made it a surprise when 19 games into this season, he was fired after a 7-12 start. Fizdale reportedly clashed with Memphis center Marc Gasol.
Fizdale was an assistant in Golden State, Atlanta and Miami from 2003-16. He won NBA championships with the Heat in 2012 and 2013, where he coached Suns vice president of basketball operations James Jones.
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98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station’s John Gambadoro reported Saturday the Suns will be prioritizing NBA success in its head coaching search.
Fizdale, Budenholzer, Steve Clifford, Frank Vogel and Jay Triano are the five head coaches the Suns are expected to interview at this time, per Gambadoro.
Grand Canyon head coach Dan Majerle turned down the Suns’ interest to discuss the opening, according to Gambadoro, while former Milwaukee Bucks head coach Jason Kidd has expressed interest in the job.
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