Ty Lue has been a head coach in the NBA for seven full seasons, and parts of two others. Next season will be his tenth year as a head man, and it may be the most challenging of them all. So far, he has never had a losing season when he has been the head coach for the full season. He will probably continue that streak next season with the moves the Los Angeles Clippers made. But in terms of managing players, lineups, rotations, egos, and everything in between, 2025-26 might be the most challenging to date.
Ty Lue Might Have His Most Challenging Coaching Season
The Los Angeles Clippers had a stellar offseason, adding veteran players who can contribute to their success. Through trades and signings, they have added Brook Lopez, Bradley Beal, Chris Paul, and John Collins. Those moves will give them a deep, solid rotation that can play multiple ways.
Yet, for Lue, it will also be a challenge to fit all these players and find minutes for them. Depending on what the starting lineup will be, the bench might have several All-Stars and Hall of Fame players.
The Challenge for Ty Lue
If we assume a starting lineup of James Harden, Kawhi Leonard, Beal, Ivica Zubac, and Derrick Jones Jr, that would leave Lopez, Paul, Collins, Bogdan Bogdanovic, Kris Dunn, and Nicolas Batum on the bench. Between them, they started 263 games last season.
Now, most of these players are at the tail end of their careers and will accept a backup role. But even then, there will be challenges. Some nights, CP3 might not even get any minutes. Some nights, he might start and provide rest for Harden. Collins might start or come off the bench depending on matchups. Dunn can also be in and out of the lineup. The only season Lopez came off the bench with any regularity was during the 2014-15 season with the Brooklyn Nets when he was a reserve 28 times (44 starts).
Money Speaks
On top of finding minutes for each player, Lue will also have to cater to their ego and their financial stability. Beal and Harden have a player option after next season. Bogdanovic is on a team option. Collins will be an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season. He will be 29 years old at the start of the 2026-27 season, looking to secure a new, long-term contract. Yes, the good news for the Clippers is they will have financial flexibility after the season to go in different directions. But that flexibility comes with a cost. Players usually want to get more shots during a contract year so that they can increase their value in the summer.
It will all come down to Lue and his coaching to try to figure out minutes, rotations, shots, and everything else for his players. On top of that, he will have one of the oldest rosters in the league and will have to load manage players so that they are fresh and ready for the playoffs.
Possibly A Coach of the Year Candidate?
With everything thrown at Lue for the upcoming season, this might be his chance to win Coach of the Year. Last season, Kenny Atkinson won it after he completely changed the way the Cleveland Cavaliers played. If Ty manages all the rotations and minutes, and the Clippers win around 60 games, he will have a strong case.
For all of his amazing work, Lue has never won the award. He finished sixth in 2021-22, 12th in 2022-23, and fifth in 2024-25. Yes, he has had to deal with challenges before, like when Kyrie Irving was traded from the Cavaliers, and he had to rely too heavily on LeBron James.
But this might be his most challenging coaching season to date. Here is an interesting fact. He has finished with a 60% or better record in six of his nine seasons as a head coach. Talk about sustained success!
Photo credit: © Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
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