The Los Angeles Clippers are finalizing a five-year agreement to have Tyronne Lue become the next head coach.
What We Know:
- Lue was an assistant coach with the Clippers during the 2019-2020 season and will replace Doc Rivers. According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, former All-Star and Finals MVP Chauncey Billups will join as Lue’s lead assistant coach. Billups had emerged as a candidate for several head coaching and front office vacancies over the years.
- Lue has been a highly sought after head coaching candidate since the summer of 2019. He initially became the favorite for the Los Angeles Lakers job last summer, but a satisfactory deal was never reached. This offseason, Lue has been one of the top candidates for the Clippers, Rockets, 76ers, and Pelicans.
- Lue has prior head coaching experience with the Cleveland Cavaliers, leading the team for two and a half seasons. Lue won a championship with the Cavs in his first season as head coach and led the team to three straight finals appearances.
- Lue’s situation with the Clippers is actually quite similar to his previous stint in Cleveland. Lue was an assistant for the Cavs under David Blatt, and he took over as head coach after Blatt’s dismissal and led them to the 2016 NBA Championship. In LA, he’ll be taking over for a team that he is already well accustomed to and he has star talent in Kawhi Leonard and Paul George.
- The Clippers were title favorites in the eyes of many this year, but their early playoff exit left a sour taste. They suffered one of the most epic collapses in NBA history, blowing a 3-1 lead to the underdog Denver Nuggets. Additionally, they again failed to reach the Western Conference Finals, a destination that they’ve never reached in their 50-year existence.
The Clippers should still be in the championship mix next season. They have the star talent and a new yet proven head coach, and they should be motivated to make up for this season.
