Clippers Throw Wrench in Lakers’ Ty Lue Plan

“I haven’t had a better experience since I’ve been here,” Lue continues.

“Mr. Ballmer showed me a lot of different things that I wouldn’t be privy to if I wasn’t here. And Lawrence being an ex-coach who actually knows the game, who actually can talk basketball —offense and defense —and understand the game. So that’s really good for me as well. Trent Redden… I was in Cleveland [and] won a championship with, so we have a great relationship. And Mark Hughes, he actually coached me when I was in Orlando when he was with Doc (Rivers).”

“So just having a great relationship with the owner (and) with the front office is great,” he concludes. “I would love to be here long-term.”

With that, the Lakers’ unlikely future head coach becomes all but unattainable. Contract negotiations with the Clippers would have to fall through for him to become available. Even then, that wouldn’t be until next year at the earliest as there’s a team option on his contract for 2025-26.

Ultimately, in order for Lue to coach the Purple and Gold, Ballmer and Co. would have to completely reverse course. There’s no reason to believe that’ll happen, especially this summer.

There’s No Coach Quite Like Lue

The Lakers’ interest in Lue is understandable.

Aside from his background as a coach and player, he has a pronounced ability to get the best out of star players and to adjust when those same players are out of the lineup. For a team that’s hoping to be led by 39-year-old LeBron James and injury-prone Anthony Davis next season, those skills will likely come in handy. There’s no coach on the market that measures up to Lue when factoring in his intangibles.

That said, there are several intriguing head coach candidates out there. The Lakers may even need to consider going the international route, calling up Spanish national team head coach Sergio Scariolo.