With one of the biggest offseasons in LA Clippers’ history starting, it looks like the team has expressed interest in Jerry West in an advisory role.
According to Marc Stein of ESPN, the LA Clippers are attempting to poach Jerry West from the Golden State Warriors. Currently, Jerry West, aka “The Logo”, is in an advisory role for the Warriors. The Clippers would likely put him in a similar situation, as West has previously expressed not wanting the full demands of a general manager situation.
Story going online now: League sources tell me that the Clippers have expressed interest in trying to hire Jerry West away from the Warriors
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) May 31, 2017
This move could be huge for the Clippers, especially when it comes to luring Chris Paul and Blake Griffin this summer. Both players have player options and are expected to decline. Although the Clips can offer the most money to CP3 and Blake, there have been rumblings that they could move on, especially Chris Paul.
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This would also help to alleviate some stress from Doc Rivers, who alongside being head coach is President of Basketball Operations. Since taking over the position, Doc has caught a lot of flak for his personnel decisions. This past offseason, Doc pieced together one of his better benches, but there was still something missing from the team. Now, with J.J. Redick, Mo Speights, Luc Mbah a Moute and Raymond Felton most likely leaving, Doc will have a lot of work in front of him.
Jerry West brings a pedigree of building teams that win. According to Stein:
"He was both the architect of the (Lakers) “Showtime” teams throughout the 1980s and the driving force behind the maneuvering that enabled the Lakers to acquire both Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal within the span of a few weeks in the summer of 1996."
The LA Clippers could have a bright future if they are able to snag Jerry West and may be able to piece together a team that can compete with the best in the league.
UPDATE:
Updating the Clippers/Jerry West story: League sources say West has already held talks w/owner Steve Ballmer and coach/president Doc Rivers.
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) May 31, 2017
This bodes well for the Clippers.