Tyronn Lue had been favored for a while to become the Clippers’ next head coach.
But the Clippers still made a splash in hiring Lue – by naming former Pistons and Nuggets star/coaching novice Chauncey Billups an assistant.
Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN:
Ty Lue is finalizing a five-year deal to become the next coach of the Los Angeles Clippers, sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) October 15, 2020
Shams Charania of The Athletic:
Sources: The Los Angeles Clippers are hiring Ty Lue to be their next head coach -- with Chauncey Billups as a lead assistant.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) October 15, 2020
New Clippers head coach Ty Lue’s coaching staff will include: NBA champion, ’04 Finals MVP and five-time All-Star Chauncey Billups and former Hawks/Bucks/Cavaliers head coach Larry Drew, per source. https://t.co/MajdAsqsOC
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) October 15, 2020
Lue gets promoted with a team that has big stars, championship expectations and internal turmoil. Last time that happened, he won a championship with the Cavaliers.
With Kawhi Leonard, Paul George and several other capable veterans, the Clippers have potential to duplicate that success. But they must improve their chemistry.
Though he failed to deliver the desired playoff success, Doc Rivers did a lot right in L.A. Was coaching really the problem? How much will Lue help? Even though Lue has an excellent record, the Clippers are taking a big risk with this coaching change.
Reminder: Leonard and George can become unrestricted free agents in 2021. The pressure to flourish is immediate.
But with a five-year contract, Lue gets the security the Lakers didn’t offer last offseason. (That worked out well for them.) This also adds juice to the Clippers-Lakers rivalry.
Billups gets an opportunity to coach. This seemingly indicates he won’t get hired by the Pacers, though it’s always possible joining Lue’s staff is contingent on Indiana passing. Either way, Billups – who, like Lue, was a smart player with good communication skills – is on track to rise in coaching if he desires.
Larry Drew succeeded Lue in Cleveland, though in an odd saga.
This also might clear the way for the Rockets to hire Jeff Van Gundy, though Houston has also considered other candidates.