Despite the Clippers' playoff exit, head coach Tyronn Lue remains committed to the team and is expected to receive a contract extension this offseason. However, speculation persists about the Lakers' potential interest in Lue, a former NBA champion coach.
Los Angeles Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue expressed his commitment to the team following their playoff elimination, despite rumors linking him to the vacant head coaching position with the Los Angeles Lakers.
The Clippers fell to the Dallas Mavericks in the first round of the playoffs, ending their season with a 114-101 defeat on May 3. However, Lue remains focused on his future in Los Angeles and is expected to receive a contract extension this offseason, according to The Athletic.
"I hope so. … You know, I hope so. I didn't come here to bounce around and go all over the place," said Lue, who turned 47 on Friday.
Lue's strong relationship with Clippers ownership and the front office is a key factor in his desire to remain with the team.
"Mr. Ballmer, Lawrence (Frank, president of basketball operations), Mark Hughes (assistant general manager), Trent (Redden, general manager), Gillian (Zucker, president of business operations) … they've all been great to me. This is where I want to be, and hopefully they feel the same way. I haven't had a better experience since I've been here. Mr. Ballmer showed me a lot of different things that I wouldn't be privy to if I wasn't here."
Lue declined to address speculation about the Lakers' interest in him following the firing of Darvin Ham.
"I don’t really have a comment on that," said Lue when asked about his name surfacing in the Lakers’ search. "It’s great to be wanted. That’s a really good feeling. Like I said, I want to be here. Hopefully, we’re able to solidify that."
Lue, a former NBA champion coach with the Cleveland Cavaliers, has two years remaining on his contract with the Clippers.
The Clippers faced significant adversity during the playoffs, with star forward Kawhi Leonard missing four of the six games against the Mavericks due to knee inflammation.
"I give our guys credit for just sticking with it through all the ups and downs and all the negative scrutiny and all the things that they went through this season," said Lue. "Having to go into a series again short-handed."
Lue's tenure with the Clippers has been marked by success, with the team reaching the Western Conference finals in his first season and compiling a 184-134 record in the regular season.
"This was a good year," said Lue. "Overall, I wouldn’t trade it for anything, outside the early ending. I like the guys in the locker room. They respect me. I respect them. I’m ready to move on to next season and get better."
The Lakers' search for a new head coach remains ongoing, with Lue being one of several potential candidates. However, Lue's commitment to the Clippers and the team's desire to extend his contract suggest that he is likely to remain in Los Angeles for the foreseeable future.
