Sources: Cavs make Tyronn Lue top-paid assistant coach in NBA history
The Cleveland Cavaliers have made associate head coach Tyronn Lue the highest-paid assistant coach in NBA history – and perhaps all of professional sports – league sources told Yahoo Sports.
To leave Doc Rivers and the Los Angeles Clippers to join coach David Blatt's staff with the Cavaliers, Lue agreed to a four-year, $6.5 million deal, sources said. The contract's final two years will pay Lue $1.75 million and $2 million, league sources said. The fourth year of the deal is a team option, sources said.
Lue will be an important part in helping Blatt transition from a decorated coaching career in Europe to the NBA.
Cavaliers management grew fond of Lue during the interview process for the head-coaching job that ultimately went to Blatt and immediately pursued him for the associate head-coaching job. Rivers didn't want to lose Lue from his Clippers staff, but the Cavaliers' historic financial commitment made it impossible to turn down, sources said.
In five years as an assistant under Rivers with the Boston Celtics and Clippers, Lue has developed into one of the NBA's most well-regarded young head-coaching prospects.
Lue, 37, played 11 seasons in the NBA for seven teams and won two championships with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2000 and 2001.
