Mike D’Antoni passes on Team USA assistant position, report says
Lakers Coach Mike D’Antoni will not return to Team USA as an assistant for Mike Krzyzewski, at least according to Marc Berman of the New York Post.
Krzyzewski is expected to be officially announced as the U.S. Olympic coach Thursday, but D’Antoni turned down an offer to return as an assistant because “he didn’t want to make another four-year commitment because of his family.”
D’Antoni has worked with Team USA since 2006, helping the squad win two gold medals.
Additionally, Lakers assistant coach Steve Clifford has received permission to talk with the Phoenix Suns about their head coaching vacancy, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports.
Marc Spears of Yahoo Sports also reports that Lakers development coach Phil Handy has left the team to join Mike Brown’s staff in Cleveland.
The Lakers previously informed assistants Chuck Person and Bernie Bickerstaff that their contracts will not be renewed.
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Email Eric Pincus at eric.pincus@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @EricPincus.
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