Kofi Inkoom
Jeff Van Gundy and the Los Angeles Clippers have reached an agreement for him to join head coach Tyronn Lue’s staff as the lead assistant, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
Van Gundy’s coaching career dates back to his tenure with the New York Knicks from 1989 to 1996, where he initially served as an assistant before becoming head coach. He led the Knicks to a 248-172 regular season record over five full seasons and parts of two more, reaching the NBA Finals in 1999 and winning eight playoff series.
Following his time with the Knicks, Van Gundy coached the Houston Rockets from 2003 to 2007, earning three playoff berths but without advancing past the first round.
After retiring from coaching, Van Gundy transitioned into broadcasting with ESPN until his departure in 2023. He then joined the Boston Celtics as a senior consultant, where he praised the organization for supporting him during a challenging personal period and celebrated a successful season culminating in the team’s 18th championship.
While there was speculation about Van Gundy potentially joining the Celtics’ coaching staff next season, recent reports indicated a growing likelihood of him joining the Clippers instead.
Lawrence Frank, head of basketball operations for the Clippers, has reportedly admired Van Gundy for some time. The team sought to fill a vacancy on Lue’s coaching staff after assistant Dan Craig left for a position with the Chicago Bulls.
Van Gundy’s existing relationship with Lue, particularly their previous collaboration with Team USA, played a significant role in his decision to join the Clippers.