NBA Rumors: Clippers Gov. Steve Ballmer 'a Huge Fan of' HC Ty Lue amid Suns Buzz

Rumors have begun swirling that the Phoenix Suns have their eyes set on hiring Los Angeles Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue after firing Monty Williams on Saturday.

But Lue has friends in high places in the Clippers' organization, per NBA reporter Marc Stein, which may make them reluctant to part ways with the head coach:

"It is not yet clear, however, how feasible any approach for Lue will be. [Suns owner Mat] Ishbia's very aggressive, spare-no-expense nature led to the deadline-day trade acquisition of Kevin Durant in February, but Lue is still under contract to the Clippers and, according to league sources, can count Clippers owner Steve Ballmer as a huge fan of his.

"Would Ballmer and the Clippers actually allow Lue to join not only a conference rival but a team in the same division?"

Williams, 51, went 194-115 in four seasons as Phoenix's head coach, leading the team to three straight playoff berths and an NBA Finals appearance in the 2020-21 season. But after consecutive losses in the Western Conference Semifinals, the Suns decided to make a change.

Given that Ishbia already made a huge splash to acquire Durant midseason, it shouldn't come as a surprise that he's looking to stamp his imprint on the head coaching position as well.

Prying Lue away from the Clippers may prove a fruitless endeavor, however.

Lue, 46, has gone 133-103 in three seasons in charge of the Clippers, leading the team to a pair of playoff appearances. The Clippers have struggled to live up to the lofty expectations that came with signing Kawhi Leonard and trading for Paul George in 2019, though a series of injuries to the pair contributed to those letdowns.

The team did reach the conference semifinals in the 2020-21 campaign, losing to Williams and the Suns. Lue also won a title with LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2015-16 season, famously erasing a 3-1 series deficit against the mighty Golden State Warriors.

A number of prominent head coaches have gotten the ax this offseason, including Nick Nurse in Toronto and Mike Budenholzer in Milwaukee. Both have championships on their resume.

Another big name, Philadelphia's Doc Rivers, reportedly could find himself on the hot seat if he loses Sunday's Game 7 matchup with the Boston Celtics, per Stein.

So the Suns may have some intriguing options this offseason if their reported schemings for Lue don't pan out.