Former Husker Tyronn Lue the ‘frontrunner’ to become L.A. Lakers coach, per ESPN

Former Husker Tyronn Lue the ‘frontrunner’ to become L.A. Lakers coach, per ESPN
Tyronn Lue returned to Lincoln in February 2017 to see his No. 10 jersey retired by Nebraska. CHRIS MACHIAN/THE WORLD-HERALD

Former Husker Tyronn Lue could be on the verge of becoming an NBA head coach again — and reuniting with LeBron James.

The Los Angeles Lakers announced Friday that Luke Walton was out as the team’s coach after three seasons. Moments later, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported that Lue is “a strong frontrunner” to replace Walton.

Lue got his first head coaching job when he replaced the fired David Blatt with the Cleveland Cavaliers during the 2015-16 season. The Cavs finished that regular season 57-25 and earned the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference before going on to defeat the Golden State Warriors in the finals.

With Lue as head coach, the Cavaliers returned to the NBA Finals in each of the next two seasons, but lost both times to the Warriors.

James left Cleveland for Los Angeles before the 2018-19 season. Lue remained, but he was fired after an 0-6 start. He then went to work in an informal role for Doc Rivers and the Los Angeles Clippers.

Now Lue could be taking over the other team in L.A. The Lakers went 37-45 this season and missed the playoffs, though James only played 55 games and was inactive for nine of the final 14 contests.

After 11 seasons playing in the NBA, Lue began his coaching career in 2011 as an assistant for the Boston Celtics. He also worked on staffs with the Clippers and Cavaliers before rising up to head coach in 2016.

Lue was a two-time All-Big 12 guard during his career at Nebraska. He helped lead the Huskers to the NIT championship in 1996. In February 2017, Lue had his No. 10 jersey retired by Nebraska.

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