How safe is Coach Lue’s job?

So, will Coach Lue last in Cleveland?

It’s tough to say.

He has three years left on his five-year/$32 million contract that he signed in 2016.

For this season, it is unlikely Coach Lue would be fired before the end of the year, even if the team underperforms.

There are three main reasons for this.

First, Lue likely has enough goodwill stored up from the 2016 season, and this will give him a pass to ride-out a disappointing season. He is the first Cleveland coach to win a title—even if the team gets off to a bad start, he will likely be given a chance to turn it around.

Second, the Cavs recently parted ways with assistant coaches Jim Boylan and Phil Handy. To replace them, they have promoted Damon Jones and Dan Geriot. To fire Lue mid-season would mean that one of Jones or Geriot would take over, and they have far less credentials than Lue.

Third, the Cavs should wait until they know who would be available to replace Lue. Why risk losing a celebrated coach like Lue to only put in place someone who the organization is not thrilled with?

Past this year, though, Lue’s job is up in the air.

A playoff berth this season will almost certainly secure his place, but this will be no easy task.

If the Cavs fail to make the playoffs, he will be on the hot seat next summer.

There is a chance he stays on after missing the playoffs if Cleveland’s young core emerges and vastly improves. But if the season looks bleak and/or the Cavs suffer an extended losing streak, Coach Lue’s goodwill may quickly be forgotten.