Suns Poach Jazz Executive to Hire as Assistant Coach

In the most recent report from the NBA’s most respected, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Jazz’s associate GM, David Fizdale will be leaving Salt Lake City for Phoenix. In an unexpected move, Fizdale will now be joining back in a coaching role with new Suns’ HC, Frank Vogel. Fizdale and Vogel coached together while with the Los Angeles Lakers, and now get another chance in 2023-24.

The Phoenix Suns are hiring Jazz associate GM David Fizdale as an assistant coach, sources tell ESPN. Suns made a significant financial play for Fizdale and drew upon his history with new coach Frank Vogel and GM James Jones. Fizdale is a former HC with Knicks and Grizzlies.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 5, 2023

Despite making the turn from coaching to the front office side of the league, Fizdale has decided to make his return to the X’s and O’s. While Fizdale doesn’t have quite the level of success you’d like to see as a head coach (71-134 record all-time), he was a key assistant on the Miami Heat back when they had their big three.

Now, Fizdale goes back to his assistant role, hoping to find a spark with Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and the rest of the Phoenix Suns. An extremely talented core to build around as a head coach, while the Utah Jazz will continue to build without Fizdale’s input moving forward.

Now, with the NBA Draft approaching in the next few weeks, and free agency here in less than a month, the Jazz may need to act quickly if they want to hire a replacement for their associate.

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