LA Clippers Rumors: Doc Rivers to return next season
The LA Clippers will reportedly bring Doc Rivers back next season.
The LA Clippers will not be making a coaching change in the offseason. According to Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports, the team is expected to retain Doc Rivers despite their second-round exit versus the Denver Nuggets.
The biggest reasoning behind keeping Rivers is the fact that his being the Clippers’ coach played a huge part in bringing Kawhi Leonard to Los Angeles.
This news will probably anger a lot of Clipper Nation but makes sense. If Leonard wanted Rivers around, the team cannot just let him go. Sure, Doc was outcoached in the second round by Mike Malone as he failed to adjust to Denver’s but ultimately Rivers adds too much value.
Rivers coming back isn’t ideal but with both Paul George and Leonard having the option to opt out and become free agents in 2021, you have to keep them happy in any way whatsoever.
The team shouldn’t have lost in the second round after going up 3-1. This is the third time that a Doc Rivers’ team has blown such a lead in the postseason. Part of the problem was Rivers falling too in love with Montrezl Harrell during stretches despite Nikola Jokic and company absolutely abusing him on defense.
With Harrell possibly leaving in free agency though, that might not continue to be an issue. Outside of that, the team could more or less run it back. Rivers and players including both George and Lou Williams cited the team’s lack of time to build chemistry as part of the reason they fell short. If that is the case, they will now have a full offseason together to work with no one rehabbing any major injuries.
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Rivers staying is the first domino to fall for the LA Clippers as they look to tweak their team for next season. Hopefully, he can be a stabilizing presence as the team continues working towards that elusive first championship.