The Los Angeles Lakers-Dallas Mavericks pipeline could be getting even stronger. Former Lakers assistant coach Phil Handy has emerged as a candidate to join the Mavericks coaching staff, veteran NBA writer Marc Stein reported on Wednesday. Additionally, Stein notes that another ex-Lakers assistant, Mike Penberthy, could potentially join Dallas as well. The news comes amid reports that longtime Mavericks assistant coach God Shammgod is leaving the team. Shammgod has reportedly agreed to join the Orlando Magic in a larger role as an assistant coach. Handy, 53, coached for the Lakers from 2011-13 and again from 2019-24. With a background in player development, he was a popular figure among the Lakers players but was fired in 2024 after the Lakers cleaned house of their entire coaching staff along with Darvin Ham. Handy then proceeded to take a parting shot at Lakers GM Rob Pelinka after getting fired. As for Penberthy, 50, he was an assistant coach for the Lakers from 2019-22. He was also an NBA champion as a p
