Los Angeles Lakers Rumors: LA Could Make Stunning Move to Get LeBron James’ Former Coach, Per 2 Execs

Although nothing is confirmed for now, there have been speculations on who will potentially replace Darvin Ham, and two rival officials believe that Ty Lue is a strong candidate, given his relationship with LeBron James.

“There are a lot of factors there, Ty (Tyronn Lue) is under contract (for the 2024-25 season), but if the Clippers decide they need some changes, he could be one of the changes,” a league executive said via Heavy Sports. “LeBron (James) can be a free agent. If Ty is out there, it is pretty clear that’s who LeBron wants.”

“If it was all up to LeBron, he’d have Ty Lue as his coach and he would do that with the Lakers,” one Eastern Conference official shared. “That’s his guy. Out of all the coaches LeBron has ever had, the one he singles out is Ty.”

LeBron James is expected to opt out of the final year of his current contract with the Los Angeles Lakers, making him a free agent for the first time since 2018.

Ty Lue is not the only one linked with the Los Angeles Lakers

ESPN Los Angeles Lakers reporter Dave McMenamin said Thursday on the Dan Patrick Show that JJ Redick is a name to look out for if the team ultimately sacks Darvin Ham.

“JJ [Redick] certainly is a real candidate if they do open up this coaching search,” McMenamin said. “There are, I’d say, half a dozen folks out there, including possibly the guy who just lost last night against the Mavericks, Tyronn Lue … that there will be a process there that there are several viable candidates that will get an interview.”

JJ Redick and LeBron James recently started a podcast called Mind the Game, talking about the X’s and O’s of basketball. Redick was also linked with the Charlotte Hornets head coaching job.