The NBA coaching staff includes several key members in addition to the head coach. Many assistant coaches and player development coaches receive little recognition, but are among the most important members of an NBA organization.
The Los Angeles Lakers spent the summer finalizing new head coach JJ Redick’s staff, and it was announced Wednesday that former Chicago Bulls player development coach Ty Abbott will join the Lakers in the same role.
In an Instagram post published Wednesday, talent agency CSE wrote: “Ty Abbot has officially been named Head Player Development Coach for the Lakers! Ty was most recently on staff with the Chicago Bulls. Congrats, Ty!”
Several players Abbot worked with while he was an NBA player development coach shared messages for him, including Bulls star Zach LaVine.
Reposting the announcement from talent agency CSE on his Instagram account, LaVine wrote: “Congratulations to my dog! He deserves it.”
Abbott responded to LaVine’s message by writing on his Instagram Story, “I appreciate you!”
LaVine has been with the Bulls for seven seasons and worked alongside Abbott when the Lakers’ new player development coach was in Chicago. Taking advantage of a new opportunity with the Lakers, Abbott will work alongside a completely revamped coaching staff in Los Angeles.
As for LaVine himself, it remains to be seen if a trade is in his near future.
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