Two notable ex-Lakers figures could join Mavericks

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 player for the Lakers, winning the 2001 title as a member of their roster.

Getting Handy and Penberthy to join in on the fun in Dallas would certainly be fitting. Earlier in the day, news broke that former Lakers head coach Frank Vogel had landed a job in Dallas as well. He will be serving on the staff of head coach Jason Kidd. Handy, Penberthy, and Kidd were all assistants on Vogel’s own staff when the Lakers won the 2020 NBA championship in the Orlando bubble.

Stein notes that Penberthy especially has a close relationship with Dallas big man Anthony Davis, a former Laker. Both Max Christie and the Mavs’ newest free-agent signing are ex-Lakers as well, so it could just be one big party of former Lakers figures out in Dallas next season.