More front office changes could be coming for the LA Clippers, who removed Doc River’s front office position earlier in the summer so he could focus on coaching.
ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reports that the LA Clippers have offered the GM position job to Thunder Executive Michael Winger and that a deal is expected to be reached soon.
Winger has spent the past seven seasons with the Oklahoma City Thunder as an assistant GM/team counsel and worked very closely with Thunder GM Sam Presti. Before working with the Thunder, the young executive worked five years with the Cleveland Cavaliers under ex-Cavs GM Danny Ferry.
Held in high regard around the league by executives, Winger has been referred to as “the man who knows the CBA the best of anyone in the league” according to Nate Duncan, a prominent NBA cap guy.
Have heard Winger referred to as the man who knows the CBA best of anyone in the league https://t.co/9R1KD8wdaM
— Nate Duncan (@NateDuncanNBA) August 20, 2017
When talking about this past year’s NBA draft, Thunder GM Sam Presti said this about Winger’s insight in the drafting process:
"But, you know, that’s a three-minute window. Michael Winger, who I think some of you know, he’s the best there is at navigating that period of time where you’re trying to find opportunities into the second round as possible."
Winger drafted notable second round pick Danny Green with the 46th overall back during his tenure in Cleveland in 2009.
The executive also gained attention from the Grizzlies back in 2014, who asked for permission to interview Winger for their GM role but ultimately ended up going a different route.
Memphis GM search evolved into player personnel director search ,& I'm told Griz asked for permission to speak w/OKC asst GM Michael Winger
— Sam Amick (@sam_amick) June 18, 2014
With the LA Clippers, Winger would report directly to Lawrence Frank, the team’s president of basketball operations.
This hiring comes less than three weeks after the team stripped Doc Rivers of his President of Basketball Operations role and made Lawrence Frank their highest ranking executive in the organization. The team also added NBA legend Jerry West, who had a hand in creating the Golden State Warriors team of today, to their front office in an advisory role.