Former Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Tyronn Lue has agreed to a deal to join the Los Angeles Clippers as the top assistant on Doc Rivers’ coaching staff, according to The Athletic’s Shams Charania.
Former Cavaliers championship coach Ty Lue has agreed on deal to join the Los Angeles Clippers as the top assistant coach on Doc Rivers’ staff, league sources tell @TheAthleticNBA @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) August 21, 2019
After he and the Lakers could not agree to terms on a head coaching contract in May, Ty Lue — the 2016 Cavaliers title-winning coach — reunites with Doc Rivers in L.A. https://t.co/6dNG0cNOA5
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) August 21, 2019
The move was also reported by ESPN’s Dave McMenamin and Andrew Grief of the Los Angeles Times.
Lue has served under Rivers before, first with the Boston Celtics (2011-13) and later with the Clippers (2013-14) before taking the coaching job with the Cavaliers. In early May, Lue was in the running for the Lakers’ coaching vacancy, but ultimately the sides came to an impasse on terms of the deal. The Lakers ended up hiring former Orlando Magic and Indiana Pacers coach Frank Vogel a few weeks later.
Lue, 42, was fired by the Cavs last season after a 0-6 start. He went 128-83 as Cleveland’s head coach over parts of four seasons, leading the team to three NBA Finals trips and a title in 2016.
When Lue was fired by the Cavs, Rivers — who is Lue’s friend and mentor — blasted the decision. Then, last spring, Rivers suggested the move was perhaps a good thing. While coaching the Cavs to their third straight Finals berth in 2018, Lue missed nine games. He attributed the absence to persistent chest pains and anxiety.
