Report: Suns could be looking at David Fizdale as next head coach

If all goes according to plan, the Phoenix Suns will look different next season.

General manager Ryan McDonough has been open about the Suns’ desires to surround budding star Devin Booker with talent in hopes of accelerating the team’s rebuilding process known as “The Timeline.”

The head coach could be different, too.

Jay Triano took over as the team’s interim head coach just three games into the season after Earl Watson was fired and has guided the Suns to an 18-44 mark since.

While nothing indicates Triano won’t be a candidate for the full-time position after the season, the Suns are reportedly looking at other potential hires as well.

Mitch Lawrence of Sporting News wrote Wednesday that the Suns are targeting former Memphis Grizzlies head coach David Fizdale this summer.

Phoenix is targeting former Memphis coach Dave Fizdale to replace interim coach Jay Triano, according to league sources. When Fizdale was the lead assistant to Eric Spoelstra in Miami during the LeBron Era, James Jones was on the Heat roster. Jones has been the Suns’ vice president of basketball operations since last July.

Lawrence went further to say that the Los Angeles Lakers may have interest too — despite Luke Walton having time left on his contract — speculating that Fizdale’s presence in L.A. might be a boon in landing LeBron James in free agency.

Fizdale, 43, coached the Grizzlies to a 43-39 record in 2016-17, and a spot in the playoffs, where they were eliminated in six games by the San Antonio Spurs. Things weren’t as rosy in year two in Tennessee, however, and Fizdale was fired after the Grizzlies limped to a 7-12 start this year. He was replaced by J.B. Bickerstaff.

He has assistant coaching experience with the Warriors, Hawks and Heat. In Miami, Fizdale helped the Heat win NBA titles in 2012 and 2013.

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