Tyronn Lue is interviewing with the Sixers on Tuesday, a source confirmed to NBC Sports Philadelphia’s John Clark. The Inquirer’s Keith Pompey first reported the news.
It’s the latest development in the team’s winding coaching search, which began on Aug. 24 when Brett Brown was fired after seven seasons. Mike D’Antoni is a top candidate for the position, per multiple reports, while Doc Rivers is now on the open market. The Clippers parted ways with Rivers on Monday night, and The Undefeated’s Marc J. Spears reported that the Sixers and Pelicans reached out to the 58-year-old head coach.
Los Angeles coughed up a 3-1 lead to the Nuggets in the Western Conference semifinals, the third 3-1 advantage Rivers has squandered in his 21-year head coaching career.
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Lue has a close relationship with Rivers and served as his lead assistant coach this past season. He seems like he could be a strong candidate for a promotion with the Clippers. In addition to the Sixers and Clippers, the Thunder, Rockets, Pacers and Pelicans have coaching vacancies.
Lue won a NBA title in his first season as a head coach with the 2016 Cavaliers and then lost in the NBA Finals the next two seasons. While he has no head coaching experience outside of Cleveland, he impressed in that stint, helping lift the Cavs to their first championship. After his playing career ended, Lue served on Rivers’ staff with the Celtics before eventually heading to the Cavs.
We analyzed the case for and against hiring Lue as Sixers head coach here, and we’ve looked at D’Antoni and Rivers’ candidacies, as well.