The Los Angeles Clippers are reportedly closing in on hiring Tyronn Lue to their bench staff according to Marc Stein of the New York Times. Lue reunites with Clippers head coach Doc Rivers, whom he worked with previously in Los Angeles and Boston.
The Clippers are closing in on the hiring of Tyronn Lue as a top assistant to Coach Doc Rivers, league sources say
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) August 14, 2019
Tyronn Lue was most-recently in deep consideration for the Los Angeles Lakers head coaching job, but talks broke down near the finish line. The Lakers reportedly low-balled Lue with an offer well-below what a coach with a championship pedigree is typically offered. Lue walked away without an offer, sending the Lakers to eventually hire Frank Vogel.
Previously, Tyronn Lue was the head coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers before being fired at the beginning of last season. He won a championship in 2016 with Cleveland after taking over for David Blatt halfway through the season. However, the final season with LeBron James took a toll on Lue and his mental health. He was treated for anxiety and took a hiatus from the team, resulting in Larry Drew coaching a few Cavs games. After largely not coaching at all last season (aside from the first six Cavs games of the season, all losses), it is encouraging to see Lue ready to return to the sidelines.
The Clippers continue an offseason of improvement and acquisition of championship-caliber people. Kawhi Leonard and his multiple championships put Los Angeles into the upper echelon of the NBA, but Tyronn Lue adds a valuable assistant on the bench. Lue was regarded as one of the league’s top assistants before Blatt plucked him for his staff in Cleveland. There is little doubt that Tyronn Lue returning to the bench will be a net positive for the Clippers.
