After their disappointing exit in the first round of the playoffs to the Boston Celtics, there have been plenty of changes within the Brooklyn Nets organization. Assistant coach Amar’e Stoudemire has already announced his departure while David Vanterpool and Adam Harrington are on their way out as well.
Harrington also doubled as director of player development, so his departure would mean the Nets need someone who can fill in that role as well and that is where current Los Angeles Lakers assistant Phil Handy fits in. With Darvin Ham reportedly being hired as the next Lakers coach, a shakeup could be in order for the rest of the coaching staff and the Nets might swoop in as per NBA Insider Mark Stein.
“Will the Lakers keep highly rated developmental coach Phil Handy … or is Handy potentially Brooklyn-bound? The Nets have a need on the developmental side in the wake of Adam Harrington’s expected departure and Handy, remember, has a strong working history with Nets guard Kyrie Irving from their Cleveland days. If the Nets are bringing Irving back, having Handy on the staff to forge a stronger connection with him would be, well, handy.”
The relationship with Irving could be key here, as the Nets do need someone whose voice resonates with their star guard. Irving has been at the center of controversy for most of his time with the Nets and Handy can perhaps help keep him in check and get him to focus on what he does best, which is play basketball.
Handy also brings some championship credentials with him, having been to six NBA Finals in a row from 2015 to 2020 as an assistant with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Toronto Raptors, and the Lakers. He would go on to win three titles in the process and would be a well-respected figure in the locker room.
