The Los Angeles Lakers have decided to move on from Tyronn Lue in their search for their next head coach, according to multiple reports yesterday.
The franchise “determined he isn’t the right long-term fit for the organization, according to a team source,” according to a tweet from Los Angeles Times reporter Tania Ganguli.
Earlier yesterday, the New York Times, citing league sources, reported that one of the reasons — other than contract terms — for the breakdown in negotiations was that the Lakers had been trying to dictate choices for assistant coaches.
ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski wrote that the Lakers were hoping to add former Milwaukee Bucks and Brooklyn Nets head coach Jason Kidd to a Lue staff. Wojnarowski tweeted that Kidd “made a strong impression with management in his head coaching interview and had a productive history w/ Bucks developing young talent.”
Lue turned down a three-year, $18 million offer, according to Los Angeles Times’ reporter Brad Turner, who cited a source saying Lue was looking for a five-year deal.
Lue had been the frontrunner for the Lakers job since late last week after the Phoenix Suns hired Philadelphia 76ers assistant Monty Williams, who had interviewed for the vacant position in Los Angeles.
The Lakers have interviewed Lue, Williams, Kidd and Miami Heat assistant coach Juwan Howard, according to multiple reports.
Lue coached Lakers forward LeBron James in Cleveland, with the Cavaliers winning the title in the 2015-16 season when Lue took over for David Blatt midway through the schedule. The Cavaliers were defeated in the NBA Finals each of the next two seasons by the Golden State Warriors with Lue as head coach.
The Lakers are looking to replace Luke Walton, who was fired after three seasons with the team. He was 98-148 in Los Angeles.
—Field Level Media
