Los Angeles Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue shouts to his gamers throughout the second half of Sport 4 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff sequence in opposition to the Dallas Mavericks, Sunday, April 28, 2024, in Dallas. (AP Picture/Jeffrey McWhorter)
DALLAS — Tyronn Lue stated he needs to be coach of the Los Angeles Clippers for the long run and declined to deal with instantly hypothesis that the Lakers would goal him of their search after firing Darvin Ham.
Lue was requested about his future and the discuss of the Lakers after Dallas ended the Clippers’ NBA season with a 114-101 victory in Sport 6 of a first-round sequence Friday night time.
“I don’t actually have a touch upon that,” Lue stated when requested about his identify surfacing within the Lakers’ search. “It’s nice to be wished. That’s a extremely good feeling. Like I stated, I wish to be right here. Hopefully, we’re capable of solidify that.”
A day after turning 47, Lue stated he felt robust assist from proprietor Steve Ballmer and group president Lawrence Frank amongst others. Lue has two years remaining on his contract, and ESPN, citing nameless sources, reported that the Clippers are occupied with an extension.
“I didn’t are available in to bounce round, go everywhere,” Lue stated. “They’ve all been nice to me. Simply having a terrific relationship with the proprietor, with the entrance workplace. It’s nice. I’d like to be right here long run.”
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The Clippers had been with out star ahead Kawhi Leonard in 4 of the six video games in opposition to the Mavericks with proper knee irritation. He missed three of 5 video games in a first-round loss to Phoenix final 12 months.
“I give our guys credit score for simply sticking with it by way of all of the ups and downs and all of the unfavorable scrutiny and all of the issues that they went by way of this season,” Lue stated. “Having to enter a sequence once more short-handed.”
Lue coached Cleveland to the 2016 NBA title with LeBron James, who left for the Lakers in free company two years later. Lue was gone simply six video games — all losses — into the season after James’ departure from the Cavaliers.
Lue was an assistant on Doc Rivers’ workers with the Clippers earlier than taking up when Rivers and the membership mutually parted methods following the 2019-20 season. Rivers ended up in Philadelphia.
The Clippers reached the Western Convention finals in Lue’s first season and have a 184-134 file within the common season below him.
Leonard is below contract in 2024-25, and fellow All-Star Paul George has a participant possibility. James Harden, a 10-time All-Star added in an early-season commerce, is a free agent.
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“This was an excellent 12 months,” Lue stated. “Total, I wouldn’t commerce it for something, exterior the early ending. I like the fellows within the locker room. They respect me. I respect them. I’m prepared to maneuver on to subsequent season and get higher.”