Former Boston Celtics assistant coach Tyronn Lue has reportedly accepted an offer to become the next head coach of the Los Angeles Clippers, taking on the role of fellow Celtics alumnus Doc Rivers according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
Widely considered to be the most likely heir to Rivers after the latter agreed to step down at the end of Los Angeles’ season, Lue has accepted the position for a reported five-season deal.
His compensation unreported, it is expected that Lue will be contending for a title with a fair amount of pressure given both stars Kawhi Leonard and Paul George will be able to opt out of the final season of their current deals at the end of the 2020-21 NBA season.
ESPN story on the Clippers finalizing a five-year deal to hire Ty Lue as the franchise's new head coach: https://t.co/RyFqCxZPgO
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) October 15, 2020
Lue, who won a title as head coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2015-16 when the financial writing was on the wall for that team, so it seems the Missouri native is comfortable working towards contention in a high-pressure environment.
The hire now elevates his fellow Clippers assistant and Boston alumnus Sam Cassell in the hunt to fill the head coaching vacancy with the Houston Rockets.
