Report: Cavs' Drew rejected pay raise for HC job, wants long-term security

Associate head coach Larry Drew rejected the Cleveland Cavaliers' offer of a pay raise to be interim head coach in pursuit of a longer-term deal, according to The Athletic's Joe Vardon.

Drew was named as acting head coach shortly after an 0-6 start to the season led to Tyronn Lue's dismissal.

The Cavaliers are currently paying Drew nearly $1 million for the season. He would have received the raise when he was named Lue's interim successor. However, Drew said Tuesday he's willing to go back to his old role for the remainder of the campaign if Cleveland doesn't see him as part of their future plans.

"I'm fine with that," Drew said, according to Amico Hoops' Sam Amico. "My contract is up in July. Maybe Larry Drew isn't part of the future."

Drew could be attempting to back the front office into a corner and force his way into an extension, but he's potentially losing leverage by willingly remaining the head coach until a potential replacement is found.