The Cleveland Cavaliers have re-signed NBA champion head coach Tyronn Lue to a new five-year, $35 million contract with the first four years guaranteed and a team option in the fifth year.
Lue, who turned 39 last May, never signed any deal when he took over head coaching duties from the fired David Blatt in January after being the squad's associate bench tactician since June 2014. The Cavs had a win-loss slate of 30-11 when Lue assumed the job and led Cleveland to a 27-14 regular season finish that topped the Eastern Conference.
He eventually coached the Cavs to the franchise's first-ever NBA championship and the city's first professional sports title in more than five decades, winning in Game 7 of the 2016 NBA Finals coming back from an improbable 1-3 deficit against the then defending champs Golden State Warriors.
"Ty took over our team under very trying circumstances and his calm, confident approach was invaluable as we found our way to success," general manager David Griffin said in a statement, via the Cavaliers' official website.
"His vision, leadership and tactical acumen were fundamental to us reaching our goals. We couldn't be happier to have Ty continue to lead our group into the future," Griffin added.
Lue, who became the 20th head coach in the ballclub's history, became the NBA's highest-paid associate coach after he joined Blatt's crew in 2014 when he received a four-year, $6.5 million contract from the Cavs, as per ESPN.
"The opportunity to continue coaching the Cavaliers and this very special group of players is tremendous," said Lue. "I am extremely appreciative of the effort and commitment that Dan Gilbert, Jeff Cohen, Nate Forbes, and David Griffin showed in extending my contract."
"Cleveland fans are the best in sports and I have thoroughly enjoyed being a part of this very special community. I am focused on helping this organization continue to grow and look forward to more success for our team and our fans," the coach said.
Lue was a former NBA player and had suited up for the Los Angeles Lakers, Washington Wizards, Orlando Magic, Houston Rockets, Atlanta Hawks, Dallas Mavericks, and Milwaukee Bucks during his 11-year professional playing career.
He was drafted by the Denver Nuggets 23rd overall during the 1998 NBA Draft but was then traded to the Lakers on draft night along with Tony Battie for point guard Nick Van Exel. He won two NBA titles with the Lakers in 2000 and 2001 as a backup point guard.