Tyronn Lue has accepted the position of associate head coach with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
FOX Sports 1 NBA insider and Yahoo Sports columnist Adrian Wojarnowski reported the story of Lue's hiring first.
Lue, 37, has spent his entire coaching career as an assistant under Doc Rivers, most recently with the Los Angeles Clippers last season. Lue also assisted Rivers with the Boston Celtics.
It is widely believed the Cavs have made Lue the league's highest-paid assistant. FSO has been unable to confirm those reports, however.
The Cavs interviewed Lue twice for their head-coaching position, a job that eventually went to David Blatt. But as sources repeatedly told FOX Sports Ohio, the Cavs were extremely impressed with Lue and wanted to bring him on the staff.
"I could not be happier that Ty will be joining the Cavaliers' coaching staff as my top assistant," Blatt said via a statement released by the team. "I look forward to leveraging all of his experiences and expertise into our team's development. This is a character guy and winner himself who played and worked with some of the greatest talents and successful leaders in NBA history. I am thrilled to have him by my side as we get to work in Cleveland."
The move falls in line with earlier FSO reports, which stated the Cavs were looking at naming an associate head coach, or strong lead assistant, from their pool of coaching interviewees.
Lue spent 11 seasons as a point guard in the NBA -- including stints as a teammate of Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant with the Los Angeles Lakers, and later as a teammate of Michael Jordan with the Washington Wizards. Lue owns two champuionship rings (2000 and 2001) from his Lakers days, and has played for renowned coaches Phil Jackson and Doug Collins.
In the statement announcing his hire, Lue thanks Rivers for his support and preparation for taking another step in his career.
"Cleveland is a great opportunity," Lue said. "I am looking forward to joining Coach Blatt, (general manager) David Griffin and the entire Cavaliers organization at a very exciting and promising time for the franchise. Through numerous discussions with David and Griff, I felt Cleveland is a great situation for me. I believe my background will help me play a key part in helping achieve the vision that the leadership of this franchise has for its team. I can't wait to get to work with Coach Blatt and our players."
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