The rivalry that the Los Angeles Clippers are trying to create with the Los Angeles Lakers has not yet been christened with a postseason battle, but it has undoubtedly gotten a little bit more personal with the latest hire by the Clippers on Thursday.
ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported on Thursday that the Clippers have promoted Ty Lue to head coach and have agreed to a five-year deal, the type of deal the Lakers were resistant to giving Lue last summer when he nearly became coach of the Lakers. Lue was a candidate for the jobs in New Orleans and Houston before eventually taking what was objectively the best job left on the market.
Deal has been fully agreed upon now, source tells ESPN. https://t.co/CVk6AzszRh
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) October 15, 2020
Multiple reports are also saying that Lue will bring along 2004 Finals MVP and current television analyst Chauncey Billups as the team’s lead assistant. Former head coach Larry Drew is also expected to be a part of Lue’s staff, according to Shams Charania.
New Clippers head coach Ty Lue’s coaching staff will include: NBA champion, ’04 Finals MVP and five-time All-Star Chauncey Billups and former Hawks/Bucks/Cavaliers head coach Larry Drew, per source. https://t.co/MajdAsqsOC
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) October 15, 2020
Lue is still in the process of filling out his coaching staff as the Clippers are in a must-win situation, with Kawhi Leonard and Paul George both being able to opt-out of their current contracts after next season.
