Sources: Contract length at heart of impasse between Lakers and coaching candidate Tyronn Lue
The primary issue that ended talks between the Los Angeles Lakers and head-coaching candidate Tyronn Lue was contract length, league sources told Yahoo Sports.
The Lakers offered Lue a three-year deal worth $5 million, $6 million and $8 million annually, sources said. Lue asked for a five-year deal, the same length former coach Luke Walton had, sources said.
Under the Lakers’ proposal, the contracts of Lue and LeBron James would expire at the same time.
The Lakers pushed for former NBA coaches Frank Vogel and Jason Kidd to be added to Lue’s coaching staff, sources said. Although Lue wasn’t fond of having his staff picked for him, he would have relented if his contract terms were met, sources said.
Kurt Rambis — a former Lakers player and coach whose wife, Linda, is a trusted confidant and adviser to team owner Jeanie Buss — has had a significant role in the process, sources said.
Monty Williams was targeted by the Lakers as a finalist for the position, but he took the same role with the Phoenix Suns on Friday.
Lue coached LeBron James with the Cleveland Cavaliers for two and a half seasons, posting a 128-77 record in that span.
The pair guided the team to the city’s first major championship in 52 years in 2016, completing a historic 3-1 comeback to dethrone the Golden State Warriors.
Lue played 11 years in the NBA (1998-2009) and won two championships with the Lakers during his first three seasons in the league.
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