Clippers assistant Tyronn Lue is expected to be one of the NBA’s most popular head coaching candidates this offseason, having already been connected to at least three job openings.
As we relayed on Wednesday, Lue reportedly sought $7MM per year when he was in negotiations with the Lakers last year about their head coaching job. And Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer cites a league source who says Lue will once again be looking for $7MM annually in his talks with the teams this time around.
[RELATED: Tyronn Lue, Chauncey Billups May Be Package Deal]
While Lue’s asking price remains high, it sounds like he could be more open to compromise this year. Pompey suggests that the former Cavaliers coach may end up settling for $5-6MM per year. That would be good news for teams like the Pelicans, who are reportedly budgeting about $5.5MM annually for their next head coach, and the Sixers, who will still have to pay Brett Brown $10MM over the next two years.
Here’s more on Lue, along with other NBA head coaching rumors:
- We’ve heard that the Sixers and Lue have mutual interest, but Philadelphia will face plenty of competition. The Pelicans are expected to pursue Lue “hard,” according to Pompey, who adds that the former NBA guard is also “monitoring” the Bulls‘ coaching vacancy. Lue is considered a strong candidate for the Nets as well — he expects to receive an offer from Brooklyn, as Pompey has reported.
- Lakers assistant Jason Kidd is interested in the Sixers‘ head coaching job, league sources tell Pompey. Pompey also reports that Rockets player development coach John Lucas is interested in the 76ers’ job. It’s not clear how seriously Philadelphia will reciprocate either coach’s interest.
- The Kings are making it clear to potential GM candidates that they don’t intend to replace head coach Luke Walton prior to the 2020/21 season, per Jason Anderson of The Sacramento Bee. However, Anderson notes that Walton’s position will still be somewhat precarious, as he’ll essentially be “auditioning for his own job” next season.
Still don’t know what the appeal of Lue is.
Or Lu (k) e for that matter!
Did anyone predict Lue would be so popular?
I’m interested in coaching the 76ers next season
I’d take Kidd for Philly actually but they might get outbid
Screwy Lue can’t coach. He couldn’t figure out his best 5 in Cleveland. LBJ ran that team. Time will tell.
Why does Lue deserve 7 Million. Without LBJ does he even come close to an NBA finals
He was on the way up. Just a matter of time & opportunity. Of course the matter of the $7mil— yeah the title premium is a lot
No coach has ever won NBA championships without superstars on his team, Hall of Fame caliber . That’s been true since Red Auerbach, actually even before with the old Minny Lakers.
Like Steve Kerr , Phil Jackson , etc, what Lue DIDN’T do when he had the horses was screw it up. So he’s a worthwhile guy to hire. I don’t knows Why you’d give him 7 mill a year guaranteed for 3-5 years, but the Sixers now are handing Brown 10 mill NOT to coach , so … Today’s NBA!
Lakers look great so far in game 5, barely ahead of the Blazers late in the fourth. Meanwhile the Rockets beat OKC by 34 points, allowing just 80. No one else has held another team below 87 points so far this postseason.