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Report: Clippers close to hiring Lue as top assistant to Rivers

Andrew D. Bernstein / National Basketball Association / Getty

Ty Lue may end up in L.A. after all.

The Los Angeles Clippers are close to hiring the former Cleveland Cavaliers head coach as a top assistant to Doc Rivers, sources told Marc Stein of The New York Times.

Lue, who was fired by the Cavaliers after opening the 2018-19 season 0-6, was widely reported to be in talks with the Los Angeles Lakers this summer over their then-vacant head coaching position. However, negotiations apparently broke down over the length of the proposed deal, and the Lakers then hired Frank Vogel.

The 42-year-old Lue has an intertwined history with both the Clippers and their head coach. He was Rivers' assistant with the Boston Celtics from 2011-13 before following him to Los Angeles ahead of the 2013-14 campaign. He also played under the longtime coach during a quick stint with the Orlando Magic in 2003 until Rivers was dismissed after starting the season 1-10.

After replacing David Blatt midway through the 2015-16 campaign, Lue led the Cavaliers to a 27-14 record in the second half of the season en route to securing the franchise's first NBA title - Cleveland's first major professional sports championship since 1964. Under his watch, the Cavaliers also made the NBA Finals in 2017 and 2018 but were bested by the Golden State Warriors on both occasions. Lue was then fired during his fourth season in charge.

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