NBA Rumors: Jeff Van Gundy Signs Contract to Join Ty Lue’s Clippers Coaching Staff

Joseph Zucker@@JosephZuckerFeatured Columnist IVJune 18, 2024

Ethan Miller/Getty Images

Jeff Van Gundy is returning to the NBA coaching ranks.

ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported the 62-year-old agreed to a deal making him the lead assistant for Ty Lue on the Los Angeles Clippers.

Van Gundy last coached in 2006-07 with the Houston Rockets. In 11 seasons between his time in Houston and with the New York Knicks, he had a .575 winning percentage and made the playoffs nine times.

Following his ouster from the Rockets, Van Gundy pivoted to a broadcasting career. He worked for ESPN for 16 years, rising to become a lead analyst on NBA games. The network let him go in June 2023 amid wider layoffs.

During his hiatus from NBA coaching, Van Gundy led the United States men’s national team at the 2017 FIBA AmeriCup, where Team USA won gold, and then stayed on to help the U.S. secure qualification for the 2019 FIBA World Cup.

Van Gundy coached Lue briefly on the Rockets in 2004-05 and they have crossed paths through the national team. Lue is an assistant on Steve Kerr’s staff, and JVG stayed on as a scout once his coaching tenure came to an end.

NBA insider Marc Stein reported on June 2 the Boston Celtics was considering Van Gundy as a candidate to replace the outgoing Charles Lee as an assistant to Joe Mazzulla. He worked in Boston’s basketball operations department this season, so it would’ve been a seamless transition to have him fill the void left by Lee, who accepted the Charlotte Hornets’ coaching vacancy.

Stein followed up last Friday to report the Clippers were believed to be leading the race for Van Gundy’s services. Beyond his past experience with Lue, he reportedly had a “huge admirer” in L.A. president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank.