Davis will opt out, re- sign with Lakers
Lakers All- Star Anthony Davis plans to opt out of the last year of his contract and re- sign with the franchise, a person with knowledge of the situation told USA Today.
Davis, who joined the Lakers in the summer of 2019, is coming off his first NBA championship. He averaged 25 points and 10.7 rebounds during the NBA Finals.
He was an All- NBA first- team selection, too. Davis, 27, and LeBron James formed a strong 1- 2 combination, and the Lakers want to keep that pairing together for at least a few more seasons.
Davis’ decision to opt out of the final season of his deal worth $ 28.7 million in 2020- 21 is not unexpected. He can re- sign with the Lakers at $ 32.7 million for next season if the salary cap remains at $ 109 million.
The salary cap for next season is unknown, though, as the league conducts its accounting on the 2019- 20 season, which suffered losses because of the China controversy and COVID- 19. The league is trying to keep it close to the projected $ 109 million.
Clippers hire Lue as coach
Ty Lue has agreed to terms on a deal to coach the Clippers, two people familiar with the situation told USA Today.
Lue was the assistant coach for Doc Rivers and the Clippers in 201920, and he coached the Cavaliers to the 2016 championship after taking over for David Blatt in midseason.
He inherits a team that features Kawhi Leonard and Paul George but fell short of its goal, blowing a 3- 1 lead to the Nuggets in the Western Conference semifinals.
Lue also guided the Cavs to the NBA Finals in 2017 and 2018 and was fired after an 0- 6 start to the 2018- 19 season. In 2 ½ seasons with Cleveland and James, he went 12883. Before joining Blatt’s staff, Lue worked as an assistant for Rivers with the Celtics and Clippers.
Near the end of the 2017- 18 regular season, Lue took a leave of absence to address his health, which included “chest pains and other troubling symptoms, compounded by a loss of sleep,” he said in a statement at the time. “Despite a battery of tests, there have been no conclusions as to what the exact issue is.”
Lue has had solid mentors during his playing and coaching careers — Phil Jackson, Stan Van Gundy, Scott Skiles and Rivers. He has melded those styles into his own.
Rockets GM Morey steps down
Daryl Morey is stepping down as general manager of the Rockets.
Morey was Houston’s GM for 13 years, and ESPN reported that he approached Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta about leaving his post after the team was eliminated in the second round of the playoffs. Executive vice president of basketball operations Rafael Stone is expected to be promoted to general manager, according to a report in USA Today.
The team is also in the middle of trying to find a coach. Mike D’Antoni left after four seasons last month.