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'I would love to be here long term': Ty Lue stays optimistic on future with Clippers, addresses Lakers coaching gig rumors

Published May 4, 2024, 7:08 PMPao Ambat
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The Los Angeles Lakers previously pursued Ty Lue--LeBron James' Cleveland Cavaliers coach--in 2019 before eventually signing former Frank Vogel.

Tyronn Lue faces another season short of a title with the Los Angeles Clippers.

After yet another disappointing end to their season, Los Angeles Clippers coach Tyronn Lue is hoping to stay with the squad for the foreseeable future. 


"I didn't come here to bounce around and go all over the place... I would love to be here long term,” Lue said moments after the Clippers’ first round exit at the hands of the Dallas Mavericks. 

 

“Mr. Ballmer, Lawrence (Frank), Mark (Hughes), and Trent (Redden) have all been great to me. This is where I want to be. Hopefully, they feel the same way.”

Regarded as one of the top coaches in the league, the 2016 NBA champion coach with the Cleveland Cavaliers has a team option for the upcoming 2024-25 season, which is the final season of his contract.

As per NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski, the Clippers are “planning to pursue a coaching extension for Ty Lue.”

 

During his four-year tenure as the Clippers coach, Lue has guided the team to a 184-134 regular-season record and a 13-17 record in the playoffs, including one Western Conference Finals appearance.

The two-time NBA champion player though stayed mum on him being considered by the Los Angeles Lakers to be a possible coaching replacement for Darvin Ham, who was fired earlier.

“I really don’t have a comment on that, but it feels great to be wanted. That’s a really good feeling.”

But Lue expressed his desire to stay with the Clippers, “I wanna be here and hopefully we could solidify that.”

Finally, the 47-year-old tactician lauded his squad’s efforts throughout the season despite the criticisms that they faced.

"I give my guys credit for just sticking with it, through all the ups and downs, the negative scrutiny... To come back, do what we did, finish fourth in the West, they put the work in and got better.”

[ALSO READ: Mavericks finally solve Clippers puzzle, advance to West semis vs. Thunder]