LeBron James reportedly called Ty Lue twice to help after Lakers' disrespectful coaching gig offer

LeBron James' former coach Tyronn Lue was one of the potential candidates to coach the LA Lakers in 2019. However, the deal fell apart with rumor mills churning that he felt disrespected by the Purple and Gold's offer. Now, it turns out that the narrative was true as Lue, who coaches crosstown rivals, the LA Clippers revealed it in a candid chat with Stephen A. Smith.

Speaking on the Stephen A. Smith Show, Lue spoke about how he felt disrespected by the offer and added how James called him twice offering to help. Lue stopped the 4x NBA champion saying he wanted the franchise to respect him.

"He did, and he called me twice. He called me, 'What do I have to do? I said, 'No, I want them to respect me. I don't want to have to go to you to get my deal done; if they don't respect me like I should be respected, then it's okay. He wasn't pissed off; he wasn't mad about it, but he and Rich Paul both stepped in and said, 'What are we going to do to get it done?' I didn't like the way it was handled."

Lue was looked at as the automatic choice to land the Lakers job, especially with LeBron James on the roster. It was reported that LA had low-balled Lue, who had won a championship with James when the duo were part of the Cleveland Cavaliers. Reports said that the offer LA had for their potential HC candidate was between three years and an estimated $18 million. This left his camp unhappy and they pulled out of talks with the Lakers.

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Tyronn Lue reveals Lakers deal that fell apart: "I don't think they had the same respect for me"

In the same interview, Tyronn Lue shed light on how he felt disrespected during the hiring process. He added that he was offered the job on a three-year basis.

"I don't think they had the same respect for me as I felt they should. They offered me the job on a three-year basis and they wanted to pick my coaching staff, and I just wasn't going to do that. For me to be a championship coach, to take a three-year deal when everyone else is getting five-year deals and more money, and then you wanna pick my staff as well? I just thought that was a slap in the face."

He further added that it was a bad example he was setting for other people coming after him. Now, he is part of the Clippers side spearheading their campaign. As for the Lakers, they hired Frank Vogel instead of Lue, and LA ended up winning the 2020 NBA championship.