Once the Phoenix Suns decided to hire Monty Williams to be their next head coach, all signs pointed to former Cleveland Cavaliers skipper Tyronn Lue taking over the Los Angeles Lakers. Questions would assuredly exist about Lue, namely whether he got hired for being the best coach or for being the guy who knows LeBron James the best, but based on his track record, he’d be a good hire.
But because this is the Lakers we’re talking about, something extremely weird had to happen in their quest to make Lue their coach. That came on Wednesday afternoon, as Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reported the two sides ran into a wall during negotiations.
Negotiations between the Los Angeles Lakers and Ty Lue have reached an impasse without a deal to make him the franchise’s next head coach, league sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) May 8, 2019
If your first thought it “that’s weird,” well, you’re right. It is extremely odd that this would happen, because it’s had to imagine what direction Los Angeles would turn in if Lue fell through. We did, however, get a little more information about why this impasse was reached. Wojnarowski brought word that a few issues, including whether or not Jason Kidd should be an assistant, popped up.
Discussions have included talks on contract and assistant coaching staff, sources said. Among Lakers hopes on a Lue staff: Jason Kidd. He made a strong impression with management in his head coaching interview and had a productive history w/ Bucks developing young talent. https://t.co/uQxTjqWAm7
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) May 8, 2019
The issue with assistants popped up again in a report by Marc Stein of the New York Times, although he did not specifically mention Kidd.
Among the issues that have led to a breakdown in talks between the Lakers and Ty Lue: League sources say that the Lakers have been trying to impose their choices for assistant coaches on Lue. @espn first reported the impasse between the Lakers are Lue
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) May 8, 2019
It’s important to stress that it’s totally possible Lue gets the job and this all sorts itself out, but this is a twist straight out of left field in the Lakers’ hunt for a coach. We’ll be sure to keep you updated if this manages to take yet another unexpected turn.
