The Lakers pushed away Tyronn Lue by offering him just a three-year contract and trying to foist Jason Kidd onto his coaching staff. Maybe Lue would have accepted Kidd if Lue got more-favorable contract terms.

But the Lakers apparently really grated him with their proposed contract, because it would’ve expired in 2022 – the same year LeBron James‘ contract ends.

Ramona Shelburne of ESPN:

Negotiations really deteriorated w/ Ty Lue when the Lakers refused to offer more than a three year deal that was designed to line up with LeBron James’ contract. Lue felt insulted the Lakers only saw him as a coach for LeBron, sources close to the process told ESPN. — Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) May 9, 2019





Coaching LeBron is a particular challenge. With the Cavaliers, Lue proved he was up to it.

I get that Lue wants to be known as more than just LeBron’s coach. His won-loss record is impressive, and that usually opens doors, no matter the roster used to attain that record.

But let’s be real, even without LeBron pushing them, the Lakers were interested in Lue due in large part to his LeBron connection.

And that’s totally fine! LeBron is worth building around. If anything, the Lakers haven’t shown enough urgency to maximize LeBron’s remaining prime years. Hiring a coach who works well with him would have been a step in the right direction.

Teams often give coaches long contracts knowing there’s at least a decent chance the coach won’t finish it. It’s the cost of doing business.

But the Lakers wouldn’t satiate Lue, so now they’re still searching for a new coach.