The Los Angeles Clippers announced a new long-term contract with head coach Tyronn Lue on Wednesday.
Lue, 47, led the Clippers to a 51-31 finish in 2023-24. They fell to the Dallas Mavericks in six games in the first round of the playoffs.
“T Lue is everything we want in a head coach. He’s a brilliant tactician and a natural leader with an extraordinary ability to connect with those around him, both players and staff,” Clippers president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank said. “Four years ago, we felt privileged to hire T Lue, and we feel just as fortunate today. There’s no one we’d rather coach our team. T Lue is a pillar of the organization and will be for a very long time.”
Lue had one year remaining on his previous contract. Terms of the new deal were not disclosed but The Athletic reported it was a five-year deal worth nearly $70 million.
An extension with Lue provides some stability for the Clippers as they enter an uncertain offseason and prepare to move into the state-of-the-art Intuit Dome in 2024-25. Stars Paul George and James Harden are both free agents.
“This is where I want to be. I’ve loved coaching this team for the past four years and I’m excited to head into a new era at Intuit Dome,” Lue said. “I’m grateful to (owner) Steve (Ballmer), Lawrence and the entire organization for the opportunity. With our ownership, front office, roster, staff and arena, we have all the advantages we need to win in the present and the future, and I’m confident we will.”
Lue has compiled a record of 184-134 with three playoff appearances in four seasons in Los Angeles. He was 128-83 in parts of four seasons with the Cleveland Cavaliers from 2016-18, reaching the NBA Finals three straight years and winning the franchise’s only title in 2016.
His overall record is 312-217 (.590) in the regular season and 54-37 (.593) in the playoffs.
–Field Level Media
