Assistant coach for the LA Clippers Tyronn Lue during the second quarter against the Denver Nuggets in Game Six of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2020 NBA Playoffs at AdventHealth Arena at the ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on September 12, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. Michael Reaves/Getty Images/AFP
LOS ANGELES, United States – Tyronn Lue, who coached the Cleveland Cavaliers to the 2016 NBA title, has agreed to become the next head coach of the Los Angeles Clippers, according to multiple reports Thursday.
ESPN and USA Today reported that Lue has agreed to replace Doc Rivers, who parted ways with the Clippers just over two weeks ago, with ESPN saying the deal was for five years.
Lue, 43, served as the lead assistant coach for the Clippers this past season, when they lost to Denver in the Western Conference semi-finals.
Expected to join Lue’s staff is former NBA player Chauncey Billups, who is also a candidate to fill the coaching vacancy of the Indiana Pacers.
In 2016, Lue was promoted to coach by the Cavs following the firing of David Blatt as coach and he guided the LeBron James-powered club to the NBA crown.
The Athletic reported that Larry Drew, a Lue assistant in Cleveland, will join his Clippers staff.
The Clippers have never reached a conference final but with Kawhi Leonard and Paul George leading a talented squad, they are seen as a contender next season.
Lue, 128-93 as an NBA head coach, becomes the sixth Black head coach in the NBA.
Lue was a two-time NBA champion as a player, helping the Los Angeles Lakers to the 2000 and 2001 NBA crowns.