As the 2022-23 season becomes a thing of the past, potential trades and the upcoming NBA draft are now at the epicenter of most conversations. While LeBron James‘ trade rumors took away attention from Denver, another vital LA member was rumored to be moving. Given Phoenix’s extensive rebuilding plan, it has widely been rumored that the Los Angeles Lakers might lose a beloved member to Phoenix. The LA insider himself has now broken his silence on the rumors.

If he were to join Phoenix, Lakers assistant coach Phil Handy could reunite with 2020 championship-winning coach Frank Vogel. Besides, working with a superstar like Kevin Durant is another interesting prospect. But will he leave King James after spending seven years with him in Cleveland and LA?

After seven years with LeBron James, LA’s assistant coach opens up about his potential move

Ever since their post-season run ended in the Semi-Finals against the Nuggets, the Phoenix Suns have been determined to rebuild their roster. As a first step, the front office had shown the door to their then-head coach Monty Williams. Additionally, the Suns will reportedly waive the veteran point guard Chris Paul. With Williams gone, former LA coach, Frank Vogel replaced him at Phoenix. As Phil Handy had worked with Vogel during the Lakers’ triumphant 2020 campaign, it has been rumored that the two might reunite in Phoenix.

Putting fans’ wait to know his decision to an end, Phil Handy recently gave clarity about his future. In a recent press conference, Handy said, “Don’t believe everything you read. I am on a contract with the Lakers for the next two seasons. I am in Laker land baby.” The assistant has once again upheld his loyalty toward the Purple and Gold.

Phil Handy has seemingly overlooked the prospect of joining the likes of Kevin Durant and chose his old pal LeBron instead. However, a big question mark still looms over King James and the “Lakerland.”

A tumultuous time, LeBron and the Lakers, and other rumors

Phil Handy’s admission will indeed give Laker nation breathing space. But that is not all. There are many rumors and uncertainties left for the team to put to bed. Ever since LA’s underwhelming exit and James’ subsequent cryptic messages, every other Laker and quite a lot of fans have been worried about the King’s future. For quite some time, he has been linked to the Dallas Mavericks. For the past few days, however, talks about LeBron leaving LA have subsided. Rather, the LA front office is now on the lookout to bring in the best peers for James.

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Nevertheless, the Lakers will surely have to bring in some serious talent to buckle up for the upcoming season. In the West, Denver now boasts a championship-wining roster. Meanwhile, the Suns are on a painstaking pursuit to make the circumstances better for Kevin Durant and Devin Booker. To stand a chance against their powerful Western rivals, LA surely will have to tighten its grip.

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