The final game of the Cleveland Cavaliers’ 2018-19 season on Tuesday night could likely to mark the end of Larry Drew’s tenure as the team’s head coach.
Yet even though his status remains uncertain, he was unwilling to answer whether or not he even wants to come back to coach the team next season.
“Um, I really don’t want to get into that part of it right now,” said Drew. “What I really want to do is just finish this game tonight and (general manager) Koby (Altman) and I will sit down and talk about it. We’re going to give it a few days and we’ll sit down and discuss it.”
Drew took over under difficult circumstances after former head coach Tyronn Lue was fired when the Cavs lost their first six games this season. What followed were a string of injuries and trades of veterans that decimated an already weakened squad. Over the course of the year, the Cavaliers have used 32 different starting lineups.
Despite knowing he was facing an uphill battle, Drew made an effort to develop the team’s younger players.
“When I took over I really looked and just tried to make sure that a few things happened,” said Drew. “One, that the guys developed. Collin (Sexton) and Cedi (Osman), Larry Nance Jr. and Big Z (Ante Zizic) and those guys that were going to be playing minutes, I really wanted them to develop and I think all four of those guys did that. The other thing was making sure that this team stayed competitive and I thought my staff and I thought that we did a good job with that as well.
“I can clearly say that I checked the boxes of what I had to accomplish, and I’m very proud of what I’ve done and my staff along with what we’ve had to endure. I’m comfortable with what took place.”
Drew hasn’t officially been ruled out to return next season, with some on the Cavaliers’ front office lauding his efforts in handling the job of rebuilding. He and Altman will be meeting in the near future to discuss what comes next.
Entering the final game, the Cavaliers have a record of 19-62 and have dropped their last nine contests. That record is second-worst in the NBA and has put them in position to possibly obtain the top pick in June’s draft.
