According to Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report, many NBA Executives believe that Doc Rivers may be moving on from the Los Angeles Clippers very soon.
Per the report, many NBA executives believe that Doc Rivers and the Los Angeles Clippers are “heading for a divorce” soon.
The move would make a lot of sense for both sides, considering the Clippers have likely reached their peak with Rivers, and because Rivers may want to pursue other options around the league. In addition, the Clippers will owe Rivers roughly $10 million next season.
Fans have been calling for Rivers’s firing for some time now, so it could also be a crowd pleaser. That being said, Rivers has put together one of his most impressive coaching seasons this year, pushing a desolate team through adversity to the brink of contending in the playoffs.
If there is truth to the rumors, the Clippers have a lot of options once they begin looking for a replacement.
Mike Woodson or Sam Cassell would both be viable options, if they choose to promote someone from the inside. Woodson has a career coaching record of 315-365, including a 54-win season in 2013 with the New York Knicks. And while Cassell has never held a head coaching position, he has been an assistant in the league since 2009 and has been among Rivers’ staff since 2014.
Otherwise, there are numerous candidates on the market right now. David Fizdale is a fan favorite and Los Angeles native. Jason Kidd has a decent record. And while some may be opposed to Mark Jackson, he did a fantastic job with the Golden State Warriors before Steve Kerr stepped in.
Nothing is official right now, but the rumors certainly are plausible. If Steve Ballmer and the Clippers want to move on from Rivers, though, now is the time.