An Eastern Conference executive told NBA insider Sean Deveney of Heavy Sports that LeBron James would want Tyronn Lue as the Los Angeles Lakers head coach if it were up to him.
Lue coached LeBron on the Cleveland Cavaliers, who won the 2016 title over the Golden State Warriors.
The Cavaliers became the first team in NBA history to erase a 3-1 series deficit in the Finals.
“If it was all up to LeBron, he’d have Ty Lue as his coach and he would do that with the Lakers,” one Eastern Conference executive said. “That’s his guy. Out of all the coaches LeBron has ever had, the one he singles out is Ty. Now he is in a position where he has free-agency on his side and he can maybe force the team to do something to get his guy if he gets fired.
“I think LeBron has a reputation for pulling strings and dictating moves, and that gets way overblown. Anyone who has worked with him will say, he is easy to work with. He has opinions and he will let you know and, really, you’d be crazy not to ask him his opinion. But he is not a puppet master like some people think.
“But if Ty Lue is available, I’d be really shocked if he did not push the Lakers to get him.”
The Lakers are expected to fire Darvin Ham. A source told Hoops Wire that Lakers players “are done” with Ham.
“Darvin is likely getting fired,” the source said. “Look, he’s a nice guy. Players like him as a person. He’s easy to talk to. He’s a former player and won a championship. Players respect him as a person. But that’s the issue. They respect him as a person, not as a coach. His schemes, rotations and inability to take accountability for his mistakes rubbed guys the wrong way all year.
“They are done with Darvin. They wanted Phil (Handy) to replace Darvin earlier in the season. Darvin is done in LA and he knows it.”
LeBron appeared in 71 games for the Lakers this season. He averaged 25.7 points, 7.3 rebounds and 8.3 assists while shooting 54.0% from the field, 41.0% from 3 and 75.0% from the free-throw line.
LeBron is the oldest player in the NBA. He turns 40 in December. The NBA legend can become an unrestricted free agent this offseason if he declines his 2024-25 player option with the Lakers.
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