In this April 17, 2016, file photo, Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Tyronn Lue directs his players during the first half in Game 1 of a first-round NBA basketball playoff series against the Detroit Pistons in Cleveland. No coach in NBA history has started a postseason like Lue, who improved to 10-0 after the Cavaliers rolled over the Raptors in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference finals. AP
LOS ANGELES, United States — NBA champions Cleveland and head coach Tyronn Lue have completed a five-year contract worth $35 million.
The first four years of the deal are guaranteed, and the fifth year is a team option, allowing Lue to easily exceed the $21 million he earned during his playing career as a backup point guard.
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“Ty took over our team under very trying circumstances and his calm, confident approach was invaluable as we found our way to success,” said Cavs general manager David Griffin. “His vision, leadership and tactical acumen were fundamental to us reaching our goals. We couldn’t be happier to have Ty continue to lead our group into the future.”
Lue, 39, led the Cavs to the NBA crown after taking over for David Blatt in January.
He never signed a contract as a head coach and was working on a four-year deal worth $6.5 million as Blatt’s top assistant when the Cavaliers won the last three games of the finals to capture the title.
Lue reportedly left a three-year, $9.5 million contract offer on the table during the season.
“The opportunity to continue coaching the Cavaliers and this very special group of players is tremendous,” Lue said. “I am extremely appreciative of the effort and commitment that Dan Gilbert, Jeff Cohen, Nate Forbes, and David Griffin showed in extending my contract.”
Lue compiled a 27-14 record down the stretch in the regular season.
The Cavaliers swept the Detroit Pistons and Atlanta Hawks in the playoffs and Lue became the first coach to start the playoffs 10-0 before the Cavaliers needed six games to oust the Toronto Raptors in the Eastern Conference finals.
In the NBA finals, the LeBron James-led Cavaliers erased a 3-1 deficit against the defending champion Warriors and won the title on the road in the seventh game.