In many cases, ownership groups and front offices patiently wait until the summer to dismiss a head coach. This is because a mid-season change can cause a disaster. However, the New Orleans Pelicans fired Willie Green with double-digit losses already, and Tyronn Lue of the LA Clippers, who has a close enough record, may be next in line.
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Ten losses in 12 games were enough for New Orleans' front office to put its foot down and realize it was time to move on from Green. But when will the Clippers do the same with Lue, whose circumstances are much more intense?
The Pelicans' primary addition over the summer was Jordan Poole, but they are still young, figuring things out. Lue cannot relate, as his team is superstar-loaded with high-quality talent on the front end, back end, and in between.
Thus, if the Pelicans were quick to relieve Green with less talent around him than LA has around Lue, it could hint at a change of scenery on the Clippers' sidelines.
Tyronn Lue must quickly prove to the Clippers that he deserves to stay
Prior to their game versus the Boston Celtics this afternoon, the LA Clippers' record is 4-8. James Harden helped them snap their six-game losing streak, but in comparison to the 2-10 New Orleans Pelicans, they are not much different in record.
The Pelicans had an evident motive behind the decision to fire Willie Green, and it correlated to urgency. They were not content with a losing record, so they chose not to settle and made a call that could have been the root of their struggles.
Similarly, the Clippers should have Lue walking on eggshells. The best outcome for both sides would certainly be a turnaround, as LA has enjoyed the expertise he has brought to the team, and vice versa, given that his freedom to coach how he likes, with the types of players he works best with, has been granted in every season.
Moreover, Lue has produced in his position with the Clippers. He is second on LA's all-time list of coaching wins, behind Doc Rivers, yet the front office has too much to lose this season, risking their championship aspirations in each game.
That said, with no first-round pick in the 2026 draft, the Clippers do not have the luxury to depend on the draft lottery. They will most likely act immediately, just like the Pelicans did with Green, if Lue is unable to find a successful scheme.