Reports: Grizzlies, Heat assistant David Fizdale agree to 4-year deal
Miami Heat assistant coach David Fizdale has agreed to a 4-year deal to become the next head coach of the Memphis Grizzlies, according to multiple reports.
The fourth year is a team option, according to reports.
Sources told ESPN on Tuesday that Fizdale's candidacy for the position was gaining steamafter a strong first interview with Grizzlies general manager Chris Wallace. That led to an additional interview with Grizzlies owner Robert Pera.
Memphis has been looking to replace Dave Joerger, who was fired earlier this month after three seasons.
The Grizzlies' search initially targeted former Indiana Pacers coach Frank Vogel, but he ultimately took the Orlando Magic job.
ESPN.com then reported last week that Fizdale had emerged as a co-finalist for the Grizzlies position along with San Antonio Spurs assistant coach James Borrego.
Borrego, veteran NBA head coach Mike D'Antoni and Charlotte Hornets assistant coach Stephen Silas are widely regarded as the leading candidates for the Houston Rocketsjob.
Memphis and Houston have the league's only current coaching vacancies.
Fizdale has 13 years of assistant-coaching experience with the Heat, Atlanta Hawks and Golden State Warriors that includes two NBA championships with Miami. A Los Angeles native and former University of San Diego guard, he is involved in player development and assisting Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra in all areas of game preparation.
While he has never been an NBA head coach, Fizdale served as head coach of the Heat's summer league teams in 2010 and '12.
Guard Mario Chalmers, who played for Fizdale with the Heat before being traded to Memphis last November, tweeted his approval of the move.
The Grizzlies have the NBA's third-longest streak of making the playoffs, at six straight seasons, behind only San Antonio at 19 and Atlanta at nine.
Joerger was hired by Sacramento two days after being fired by Memphis. The Grizzlies used an NBA-record 28 players in going 42-40 and reaching the playoffs, only to be swept in the first round by San Antonio.
The Grizzlies are waiting for center Marc Gasol's broken right foot to heal after his season ended in February. Point guard Mike Conley is due to become a free agent after left Achilles tendinitis ended his season in early March, and Memphis also has to decide whether to exercise the option on Lance Stephenson and whether it should keep Vince Carter, JaMychal Green and Xavier Munford.
Information from ESPN's Marc Stein, The Undefeated's Marc Spears and The Associated Press was used in this report.
