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The Philadelphia 76ers are closing in on a deal with Los Angeles Clippers assistant Tyronn Lue to become their next head coach, according to Jon Johnson of Sports Radio 94WIP.
Johnson had noted Lue's name would start making some waves in Philly right after the Brooklyn Nets shocked the NBA world by hiring Golden State Warriors consultant Steve Nash. Lue was atop the Sixers radar, among with others like Jason Kidd and Kenny Atkinson.
It's worth noting the reporter clarified his report:
To clarify: there is no done deal with Lue. Apologies to Sixers. More to come.
— Jon Johnson (@jonjohnsonwip) September 3, 2020
Philadelphia dismissed Brett Brown hours after the Sixers were swept out of the first round at the hands of the Boston Celtics, a move that was heavily expected after the team's trajectory.
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Lue was among the leading candidates to take the Nets job, but after owner Joe Tsai and general manager Sean Marks worked hard to convince Nash into joining the Brooklyn sidelines, he soon took precedence for other teams in need.
Unlike other candidates, Lue has a championship ring from his days as coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers, leading LeBron James and company to a 2016 title after coming back from a 3-1 deficit in the NBA Finals.
After being fired by the Cavs in 2018, Lue joined his old boss Doc Rivers as his lead assistant, looking to remain an active face in the league after missing out on other head coaching opportunities.
Philly will expect a vast recalibration of what the team mustered this season, something Lue will look to achieve with a healthier Ben Simmons and a disgruntled Joel Embiid, who has grown tired of early playoff exits.
