Sixers coaching target Ty Lue seeking $7 million per season

KISSIMMEE, Fla. — Ty Lue is trying to get paid.

The Los Angeles Clippers assistant coach wants $7 million per season to take over an NBA team, according to a league source. His asking price might not be a problem since he’s a top head-coaching candidate.

Lue is the prime candidate for the 76ers coaching job. He’s also a candidate for the New Orleans Pelicans and Brooklyn Nets, and is monitoring the Chicago Bulls’ coaching vacancy.

While he wants $7 million per season, Lue could settle for $5 million to $6 million. The Sixers still owe Brett Brown around $10 million on the final two years of his deal after firing him Monday.

Multiple sources have said Lue and the Sixers have mutual interest. The Sixers know he would bring an NBA championship resume to a franchise in desperate need of a reboot.

Lue, who knows Sixers general manager Elton Brand from their playing days, won consecutive NBA titles as a reserve guard for the Los Angeles Lakers in 2000 and 2001. His second title came against the Sixers. As a head coach, he led the Cleveland Cavaliers to their only NBA title, in 2016.

According to a league source, the Pelicans are prepared to pursue Lue hard. Spurs coach Gregg Popovich appears to be a popular candidate for the Nets job. Sources have said Lue expects an offer from Brooklyn.

Villanova coach Jay Wright’s name has come up for the Sixers job, and assistant Ime Udoka and former Memphis Grizzlies coach Dave Joerger are also candidates.

The new coach will have to make players accountable, something that Brown didn’t do. The organization is looking for a veteran coach to push All-Stars Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons.

Lue compiled a 128-83 regular-season record with Cleveland.

The Cavaliers promoted him to head coach on Jan. 22, 2016. He was fired on Oct. 28, 2018