Grizzlies expected to retain Bickerstaff as coach
The Grizzlies are working on a contract to make J.B. Bickerstaff their permanent head coach, according to a source close to the situation.
Bickerstaff, 39, became the interim coach in November when the Grizzlies fired David Fizdale. Memphis finished with a 22-60 record and the secondhighest odds of landing the No. 1 overall pick in the NBA draft.
Yahoo Sports first reported the Grizzlies’ interest in retaining Bickerstaff with a multi-year deal.
Bickerstaff compiled a 15-48 record with the Grizzlies during his run at the helm of an injury-riddled team. Still, he received strong endorsements from veteran players Mike Conley and Marc Gasol.
Bickerstaff is praised for his communication skills and for having developed younger players on the roster.
The evaluation of Bickerstaff could also include how competitive the Grizzlies were in games despite Conley missing most of the season with a heel injury that required surgery. Forward Chandler Parsons was in and out of the lineup because of knee injuries and Tyreke Evans missed 30 games mostly due to personal reasons.
The Grizzlies hope that they can return to the playoffs during the 2018-19 season with the team’s improved health, continuity with Bickerstaff on the bench and a top-five draft pick.
It would be Bickerstaff’s first full-time head coaching job in the NBA. In 2015, Bickerstaff replaced Houston Rockets coach Kevin McHale on an interim basis, and went 37-34 over 71 games.
Bickerstaff ’s coaching experience includes stints as an assistant with Charlotte and Minnesota. He joined Fizdale’s staff in Memphis as associate head coach in 2016.