Larry Drew agrees to train with the Cavaliers for the rest of the season

Acting Cleveland Cavaliers coach Larry Drew agreed to sign a contract to remain interim head coach for the remainder of the season – and to receive a partially guaranteed contract for the 2019-2020 season, said ESPN sources close to the league.

Drew and the Cavaliers negotiated a solution to the problems surrounding him to accept the acting position without receiving more money guaranteed than the usual increase in assistant-coach's salary that Drew will have to finish this season.

Drew and his agent, Andy Miller, were able to secure a contract for the 2019-2020 season that could be terminated if the Cavaliers decided to conduct a search and hire a new coach, league sources said.

The Cavaliers 'preference will likely be to seek a coach to lead the rebuilding of the franchise, but Drew has the confidence and respect of the Cavaliers' veterans and remains essential to enable them to weather a difficult season.

Drew is 1-2 since replacing Tyronn Lue, who was sacked on October 28 after a 0-6 start to the season.

Drew was 8-1 as acting coach a year ago, while Lue was away from illness. He led Atlanta to the playoffs in each of his three seasons as head coach. He spent one season as Milwaukee's head coach in 2013-14.

Lue led the Cavaliers to three consecutive NBA finals, including the 2016 NBA Championship. He was 128-83 at work. Cleveland's owners and executives had been hoping the team would vie for a playoff spot this season, although it was unrealistic with the hole left by LeBron James' loss in an independent attack.