#76ers latest NBA team eyeing in-demand Tyronn Lue

The new process has Tyronn Lue emerging as a leading candidate to replace ousted coach Brett Brown with the Philadelphia 76ers.

The Sixers and the former NBA championship-winning coach “have mutual interest,” according to the Philadelphia Inquirer, and the team’s search to fill its vacancy will “focus” on Lue, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported.

The 43-year-old Lue, currently an assistant coach with the Los Angeles Clippers, coached LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers to the NBA title in 2016. The Cavs also reached the Finals under Lue in each of the next two seasons, losing both times to the Golden State Warriors. He was fired following a winless six-game start in 2018-19 after James had bolted Cleveland to sign with the Los Angeles Lakers.

Brown was fired Monday after the Sixers were swept in the first round of the playoffs by the Boston Celtics, ending his seven-year run in Philly. Lue also has been mentioned as a candidate with the Nets and the New Orleans Pelicans, who fired Alvin Gentry after missing the playoffs.

76ers GM Elton Brand said on Tuesday that he would handle the coaching search alone before presenting his choice to ownership.