NBA rumors: Despite their shortcomings over the past few years, the Los Angeles Clippers front office remains confident in Tyronn Lue’s ability to lead this team to glory. So much so, that they guaranteed the final year of his deal for the 2024-25 season earlier this summer, thereby ending any speculation surrounding Lue’s future in LA — at least for now.
NBA Rumors: Bucks Had ‘Serious Interest’ in Tyronn Lue
As it turns out, the Milwaukee Bucks played a significant role in the Clippers’ decision to guarantee Lue’s deal. According to Andrew Greif of the Los Angeles Times, the Bucks front office showed “serious interest” in Lue this summer after they parted ways with former Coach of the Year winner Mike Budenholzer:
“As Detroit’s Monty Williams and subsequently San Antonio’s Gregg Popovich reset the standard for NBA coaching salaries, Lue sought to add more years and money to his own contract, which was set to enter its final guaranteed year in 2023-24. It coincided with Phoenix and Milwaukee showing serious interest in Lue when filling their respective head-coaching openings. The Clippers never entertained allowing other teams to talk with Lue, however, and later guaranteed the final year of Lue’s contract for the 2024-25 season,” Greif wrote.
Apart from the Bucks, the Phoenix Suns also had their eye on Lue this summer. The Suns also moved on from Monty Williams this offseason, but they ultimately opted for former Los Angeles Lakers champion coach Frank Vogel.
The Bucks and the Suns may have actually forced LA’s hand here. There was significant interest in Lue in the market, and the Clippers had to act fast to turn away any and all threats to their head coach.
Adrian Griffin Steps Into High-Pressure Role
For their part, the Milwaukee Bucks chose Adrian Griffin as Budenholzer’s replacement. This will be the 49-year-old’s first season as an NBA head coach, but he has a wealth of experience as an assistant. In his most recent stint, Griffin won a championship with the Toronto Raptors under Nick Nurse, so you know that this man has the cache to take on a high-pressure role in Milwaukee. It won’t be an easy task, and it goes without saying that all eyes will be on Griffin as he tries to lead Giannis Antetokounmpo and Co. back to the promised land.
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