The Los Angeles Lakers’ coaching search has reportedly hit another major roadblock.
According to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, contract negotiations between the Lakers and Tyronn Lue have hit a roadblock, and the two sides have not reached a deal as of Wednesday.
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
Marc Stein of the New York Times added that one major issue between Lue and the Lakers is the team’s insistence that he add certain assistant coaches to his staff. One of those, according to Wojnarowski, is former Milwaukee Bucks coach Jason 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
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
It’s unclear what the road forward is here. Lue was essentially the only candidate for the job after Monty Williams reportedly surprised the Lakers by quickly taking the Phoenix Suns job.
There is no indication at this point that talks between Lue and the Lakers have broken down permanently, but the two sides appear to be at a serious sticking point that at least casts some doubt on whether Lue will ultimately get the job. If he doesn’t, it’s anyone’s guess who does. Perhaps if the Lakers want Kidd on their staff that badly, they should just give him the head job.
