The Los Angeles Clippers are reportedly open to the idea of a change at head coach, which could open the door to a rumored trade by the Phoenix Suns for Ty Lue.
NBA veteran Ty Lue has had a strong career as a head coach in the league. After taking over for David Blatt midway through the season, he was able to help guide the Cleveland Cavaliers to their first NBA championship during his rookie campaign in 2016. He then helped the organization reach the finals in the following two years.
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Unfortunately for Lue, his run in Cleveland came to an unceremonious end after a 0-6 start to the 2018-2019 season. It was two years before he was given another head coaching opportunity, and much like his tenure with the Cavaliers, he was again able to move from being an assistant to head coach in his second coaching gig with the Los Angeles Clippers.
Over three seasons in LA, the Clippers have been a competitive team, but have fallen well short of their lofty aspirations with the 46-year-old leading the franchise. It has put the Los Angeles Clippers into a difficult situation where they have a good coach, but a team with a built-in ceiling due to injuries and the age of their top stars.
Los Angeles Clippers record (’22-’23): 44-38
However, they may have a way to create some needed change without making a bold and risky decision. Following the Phoenix Suns’ surprise elimination in the NBA playoffs, rumors spread that Lue was a top choice to replace recently fired head coach Monty Williams. But, it would require a rare coach trade and it was unclear if the Clippers would take such an idea seriously.
Well, it seems that they could. Despite recent reports that the team would hold on to the coach who has one year left on his current deal, on Wednesday ESPN NBA insider Stephen A. Smith claimed that Los Angeles Clippers sources informed him the team “probably wouldn’t mind [Ty Lue] being gone” and that Lue himself is open to a start elsewhere as well. However, they are in no rush to make a trade and could wait until after next season.
Smith has long been used by sources to get certain narratives out there in the public news cycle. The rumblings he has heard could be the Los Angeles Clippers’ way of letting it be known Lue is available, but he won’t come for cheap.