Tyronn Lue, Cleveland Cavaliers Agree to 5-Year Extension

The Cleveland Cavaliers and Tyronn Lue have agreed to a five-year, $35 million, according to multiple reports. The first four years are guaranteed and the fifth is a team option.

Lue took over for David Blatt midway through last season. At the time, the move was seen as an effort to appease LeBron James, who denied he was pulling strings behind the scenes.

The Cavaliers overcame improbable odds to stun Golden State in the NBA Finals and brought Cleveland its first major championship in 52 years, cementing Lue’s place on the sidelines.

While the Cavs extending a title-winning coach was to be expected, the timing is interesting. James is still technically a free agent and has a history of waiting until all his demands are met before signing on the dotted line.

It’s easy to imagine a scenario where getting his preferred coach paid was on his offseason to-do list.