Lakers' chances for HC Tyronn Lue not considered 'realistic'

Los Angeles Clippers HC Tyronn Lue Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

Lakers' chances of landing Tyronn Lue not considered 'realistic'

By Adam Taylor | Last updated 5/3/24

The Los Angeles Lakers have fired head coach Darvin Ham. He failed to build on the success of the 2022-23 season, when he guided the purple and gold to the Western Conference Finals. The Lakers front office will now begin searching for his replacement. Clippers HC Tyronn Lue has been floated as a potential candidate.

However, NBA Insider Adrian Wojnarowski doesn't believe a reunion between Lakers superstar LeBron James and Lue to be a realistic option.

"I don't believe it's realistic," Wojnarowski said. "...Ty Lue still has a year left on his contract. And the Clippers are determined to do a long-term deal with Ty Lue, I'm told. They want him to be their coach for a very long time. That's a conversation that will happen after the playoffs are over. But they love the job that he did this season. They love the job that he's done there."

How realistic is it that Ty Lue could be the next coach of the Lakers? @wojespn reports on NBA Today: pic.twitter.com/70gtJacoNZ
— Malika Andrews (@malika_andrews) May 3, 2024

Lue is known for being among the most gifted coaches in the NBA. He has a relationship with James from their time together with the Cleveland Cavaliers, too. However, he is currently coaching the L.A. Clippers, who boast the wealthiest owner in the league.

Steve Ballmer will do whatever it takes to amass the talent required to construct a dominant team in the NBA, though injuries have consistently derailed the Clippers' chances of paying him back for that investment.

The Lakers must be diligent in their coaching search. If Lue isn't available or wants to lead his team into their inaugural season at the Intuit Dome, then GM Rob Pelinka needs to pivot with decisiveness and clarity. He can't stumble into the offseason with a haphazard approach to appointing another coach tasked with guiding an imbalanced team to a championship.

Pelinka has a lot of work to do over the coming months. It's going to be a busy period in Los Angeles. At this juncture, though, negotiating terms with Lue doesn't seem to be one of the tasks Pelinka will have on his to-do list.

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