Report: Mercury nearing deal to hire Magic assistant Tibbetts

The Phoenix Mercury are finalizing a deal with Orlando Magic assistant coach Nate Tibbetts to become their new bench boss, sources told ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.

Tibbetts would be the highest-paid coach in WNBA history, Wojnarowski adds.

The assistant has spent time with the Magic, Portland Trail Blazers, and Cleveland Cavaliers over the past decade. He joined Orlando in 2021.

The Mercury have undergone an organizational overhaul since Mat Ishbia bought the franchise, along with the Phoenix Suns, for $4 billion in December 2022. Ishbia lured Golden State Warriors executive Nick U'Ren to become general manager in July.

Ishbia announced earlier in October that he is investing over $100 million in a new practice facility and downtown headquarters in Phoenix for the Suns and Mercury.

The club parted ways with coach Vanessa Nygaard after a 2-10 start to the season. Nikki Blue served as interim coach while the team finished with the league's worst record at 9-31.