Lakers Rumors: Former Knicks, Grizzlies HC David Fizdale to Join Frank Vogel's Staff

The Los Angeles Lakers are reportedly "finalizing a deal" to hire former Memphis Grizzlies and New York Knicks head coach David Fizdale as an assistant to Frank Vogel.

ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported Wednesday that Fizdale was pursued by "several" teams as a potential lead assistant before agreeing to join the Lakers' staff.

Fizdale rose to prominence as an assistant under Erik Spoelstra with the Miami Heat from 2008 through 2016, a stretch that included back-to-back championships in 2012 and 2013 led by current Lakers cornerstone LeBron James.

The 47-year-old L.A. native enjoyed some initial success in Memphis, guiding the team to a 43-39 record and a playoff appearance in his first season, but he compiled a lackluster 71-134 mark across parts of four seasons as head coach of the Grizzlies and Knicks.

His coaching career dates back to 1998 and includes other stops at both the collegiate and pro levels, including stints as an assistant with the Golden State Warriors and Atlanta Hawks.

Fizdale told Jesse Washington of The Undefeated earlier this month he went through some difficult days after getting let go by the Knicks in December 2019.

"I really was at the lowest place I've ever been from a mental health standpoint," he said. "I thought the lowest point was during the losses. But it was after, when you go through the whole part of, 'What could I have done different? Did I even deserve this job?' You think like you were an impostor. You felt like you got over on these people. You're a fraud."

Fizdale explained the result of that self-reflection was coming to understand a "deeper purpose"—the goal of helping players reach their own potential without any long-term personal goals in mind, something he described to Washington as "service without means to an end."

"Now that I'm aware of it, I'm going back knowing that I can recognize it when I'm doing it, and I can stop it. It ain't about me no more," he said. "I'm coaching to help this kid get better, and I don't care if I get credit or not. It's about my time with this kid and providing the space he needs to improve as a man, and as a player. And that's it."

He'll restart his coaching career with a Lakers squad that endured an injury-riddled season en route to a first-round playoff exit to the Phoenix Suns, falling well short of defending their 2020 NBA title.

James and Anthony Davis remain under contract for next season, so Los Angeles will spend the summer getting healthy and should return to the upper echelon of championship contenders heading into next season.