The Phoenix Mercury are finalizing a deal to hire Orlando Magic assistant Nate Tibbetts as the team’s new head coach, sources told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
The deal will make Tibbetts the highest paid coach in WNBA history, Wojnarowski adds.
Tibbetts has also spent time as an assistant coach for the Cleveland Cavaliers from 2011 to 2013, and the Portland Trailblazers from 2013 to 2021.
The 46-year-old has been on the Magic bench for the last two seasons.
The Mercury are coming off a disappointing 9-31 campaign, placing last in the Western Conference.
Phoenix fired former coach Vanessa Nygaard on June 25 following a 2-10 start. Nikki Blue took the interim job and led the team to a 7-21 record during the remainder of the season.
