Lakers Rumors: Tyronn Lue Meeting With General Manager Rob Pelinka

Matthew Moreno
2 Min Read
Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

The Los Angeles Lakers hoped to have a long-term solution in head coach Luke Walton and while he outlasted predecessors Mike Brown, Mike D’Antoni and Byron Scott, Walton’s tenure came to an end after just three seasons.

He spent much of the 2018-19 NBA season on the proverbial hot seat, particularly after a contentious meeting with former Lakers president of basketball operations Magic Johnson. Walton’s fate was seemingly all but decided come the end of the season, but there was some belief that changed with Johnson’s sudden resignation.

Three days after Johnson stepped down, the Lakers and Walton cut ties. While it was presented as a mutual decision, a report suggested Walton hoped to remain with the franchise. He nonetheless landed on his feet three days later by officially being hired as head coach of the Sacramento Kings.

Meanwhile, the Lakers’ search has primarily focused on former Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Tyronn Lue and Philadelphia 76ers assistant Monty Williams. According to Brad Turner of the L.A. Times, Lue is scheduled to meet with Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka this week:

Pelinka and top Lakers executives are also expected to travel to the East Coast for a meeting with Williams prior to Game 3 of the Sixers’ first-round playoff series with the Brooklyn Nets. Philadelphia’s win on Monday night pulled them even.

Lue was fired by Cavs after an 0-6 start to the season. He went 211-183 over parts of four years at the helm, which included three straight trips to the NBA Finals and one championship.

Matthew Moreno is a journalist from Whittier, Calif., who is a credentialed reporter and is currently the Managing Editor of DodgerBlue.com and LakersNation.com. In addition to covering Los Angeles Dodgers and Los Angels Lakers games, Matthew has a strong passion for keeping up to date with the sneakerhead culture. It began with Michael Jordan and Air Jordan shoes, and has carried over to Kobe Bryant's signature line with Nike. Matthew previously was the lead editor and digital strategist at Dodgers Nation, and the co-editor and lead writer at Reign of Troy, where he covered USC Trojans Football. Matthew graduated from California State Long Beach University with a major in journalism and minor in communications. Contact: matt@mediumlargela.com