David Fizdale reportedly turned down Suns job for Knicks
David Fizdale has reached an agreement to become the next head coach of the New York Knicks, and he apparently had more than one offer to get back into coaching.
Michael Scotto of The Athletic reports that the Phoenix Suns — like the Knicks — offered Fizdale a four-year contract to become their new coach. He turned it down in favor of New York.
David Fizdale passed on a 4-year offer from the Phoenix Suns before eventually accepting a 4-year offer from the New York Knicks to become head coach, league sources told The Athletic. https://t.co/lcWeTHjUpZ
— Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) May 3, 2018
The Suns fired Earl Watson just three games into the season, and they are not offering their full-time position to interim coach Jay Triano after a 21-62 season. Even with uncertainty surrounding the health of Kristaps Porzingis and when he will return from a torn ACL, you can see why the Knicks job would be more appealing to Fizdale.
Fizdale, 43, is a highly respected coach in the NBA, having spent several years as an assistant for the Miami Heat from 2008-2016 before leaving to become the Memphis Grizzlies’ head coach. Memphis went 43-39 under Fizdale last season, but he was fired after a slow start this year during which he was not getting along with one of his star players.
