Phil Handy interviews for Wizards head coach vacancy, according to reports

There has been another firestorm of Wizards coaching news and I almost missed this one. So let’s go.

Anyway, Los Angeles Lakers assistant coach Phil Handy has interviewed for the Washington Wizards vacancy in June, according to Kyle Goon of the Orange County Register. Based on the timing, he interviewed in the first round, but it’s unclear whether he is also in the second round.

Handy has been an assistant coach for the Lakers in two different stints. Besides his current stint since 2019, he was also with the Lakers from 2011-13. Handy was also on the Cavaliers’ (2013-18) and Raptors’ (2018-19) staffs.

Throughout his career, Handy has been best known as a developmental and skills coach. But as Silver Screen and Roll’s Harrison Faigen noted today, those skills “arguably the most important quality for a head coach” now.

Handy also has a connection to Monumental Basketball, though not with the Wizards. Before his coaching career, Handy played for the Omaha Racers from 1995-97 in the Continental Basketball Association for Head Coach Mike Thibault, who is the Washington Mystics’ General Manager and Head Coach.

All of that said, Handy doesn’t seem likely to be the first choice to get the head coaching position here in Washington. Nevertheless, the Wizards have definitely cast a wide net in their search for a new head coach, and I’m honestly happy with the names they have reportedly talked to so far.

Let us know your thoughts on Handy in the comments below.