What are the details of Tyronn Lue’s huge contract extension with the Los Angeles Clippers?
The Los Angeles Clippers coach faced an uncertain future for a while but has now seemingly secured his place with the franchise for the foreseeable future.
In a deal that will see him become one of the highest-paid coaches in the league, it’s hard to argue against the idea that Tyronn Lue is in fact deserving of the lucrative extension that he has just secured. The question that remains is whether he can build on that by taking the team to a title.
Tyronn Lue agrees to huge extension with LA Clippers
According to an announcement from the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday, Ty Lue signed a contract extension to remain with the team. It is understood that the deal is valid for five years and worth $70 million. To that end, Lue will now be one of the highest-paid coaches in the league. Where his credentials are concerned, do recall that it was Lue, who led the Cleveland Cavaliers to a championship back in 2016. Regarding his time in Los Angeles, that began when he joined Doc Rivers’ staff ahead of the 2019-20 season, only to take over from Rivers at the start of the 2020-21 campaign.
In total Lue has amassed a 184-134 record in Los Angeles and has even managed to guide the Clippers to a Western Conference finals appearance, the only one in the franchise’s history. It’s worth noting that Lue had options prior to agreeing to extend with the Clippers. Indeed, it’s understood that multiple teams were interested in acquiring his services including the Milwaukee Bucks and Phoenix Suns. Some reports even suggested that Los Angeles Lakers were trying to sign him during the most recent offseason having failed to do so in 2019.
So, here we are with Lue’s future tied up and a team that can do better than it has in recent seasons. To that end, what we can expect to say is the franchise placing focus on player retention. Yes, it’s true that Kawhi Leonard’s contract was extended last season, but George Paul and James Harden are on the verge of becoming free agents and there has been no clear sign that an extension is on the way. To be clear, if the Clippers are to have a shot at a deep post-season run, it will require all three of those players on board. For the moment, they can take comfort in the idea that they’ve got the right man for the job and one who appears to love where he is. “This is where I want to be,” Lue said in a statement. “I’ve loved coaching this team for the past four years and I’m excited to head into a new era at Intuit Dome. I’m grateful to Steve, Lawrence and the entire organization for the opportunity. With our ownership, front office, roster, staff and arena, we have all the advantages we need to win in the present and the future, and I’m confident we will.”