The Memphis Grizzlies found their next head coach, and as it turns out, he was in charge of the team for most of the last season.
ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported late Thursday night that the Grizzlies will name J.B. Bickerstaff head coach, ending a coaching search that started when David Fizdale was fired from the team early in the season.
Bickerstaff took over and led the Grizzlies to a 15-48 record over 63 games during what turned out to be a lost season in Memphis. A longtime assistant coach for the Charlotte Hornets, Minnesota Timberwolves and Houston Rockets, Bickerstaff also served as interim head coach for the Rockets in 2015-16, going 37-34 in 71 games at the helm.
According to Wonjarowski, Bickerstaff will reportedly sign a three-year deal with the Grizzlies to coach the team starting this fall.
Despite a 15-48 record, Bickerstaff made a strong impression on management and Grizzlies players under difficult circumstances and ultimately became a clear choice within the organization to become elevated to the full-time coaching role.
Bickerstaff was without one of the NBA’s top point guards, Mike Conley, for most of the season. Memphis has a chance at a top three pick in the 2018 NBA draft and could retool quickly to return to playoff contention.
There are questions about what happens next with the team to be sure, but Marc Gasol seems committed to playing in Memphis and the team has a shot at the top pick in the 2018 NBA Draft. Bickerstaff is certainly well-liked in Memphis, and he’ll be given a chance to help the former Grit and Grind franchise find a new way forward.
