Sources: Jeff Van Gundy to be Clips’ top assistant

Jeff Van Gundy has agreed on a deal to become the lead assistant on Ty Lue’s LA Clippers coaching staff, sources told ESPN.

Van Gundy is considered one of the finest minds in basketball and had been pursued for years to return to coaching on a full-time basis. His relationship with Lue and the franchise’s fondness for Van Gundy played major parts in the Clippers’ ability to land him, sources said.

Van Gundy, 62, spent the previous 16 years as a television analyst for ESPN before accepting a role with Boston Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens last summer.

Van Gundy and Lue built a strong relationship as members of the USA Basketball staff, and Lue decided to pursue Van Gundy for his staff. Van Gundy coached Lue for a season with the Houston Rockets in 2004.

Van Gundy had been out of the NBA after 11-plus seasons as head coach of the New York Knicks and Rockets. Van Gundy was 248-172 (.590) with a 37-32 playoff record that included a trip to the 1999 NBA Finals with New York. His overall record was 430-318 (.575) with a 44-44 postseason record between those franchises.

During his time on television, Van Gundy turned down head-coaching opportunities in the NBA and college basketball but stayed active in coaching and scouting with several different roles in USA Basketball.