With the 2017/18 season now in the books for the Clippers, Doc Rivers has one year remaining on his contract with the team and sounded uncertain before Wednesday’s finale about what exactly his future holds.
“I love what I do, but that doesn’t mean that you keep doing it every year, do you know what I mean?” Rivers said, per Elliott Teaford of The Daily Breeze. “I can’t even answer the question. I love where we’re at as a franchise. I will say that. I would honestly say that a year ago I don’t know if I would have had that same feeling. So, we’ll see.”
Despite Rivers’ uncertainty, he’s expected to return to his job next season, league sources tell David Aldridge of TNT (Twitter link). We’re not even 12 hours into the 2018 offseason, so it’s possible the outlook for Rivers and the Clippers could change once the two sides formally meet, but based on Aldridge’s report, it doesn’t sound like the franchise is eager to move on from the veteran head coach.
According to Aldridge, Dave Joerger is also expected to return to his position as the Kings‘ head coach next season.
Here are a few more coaching notes and rumors from around the NBA:
- Hornets head coach Steve Clifford will meet with new president and GM Mitch Kupchak on Friday in Charlotte, tweets Chris Mannix of Yahoo Sports. According to Mannix, Clifford figures to push for a decision on his status, since he’s highly regarded in coaching circles and could draw interest for other openings around the NBA if Charlotte lets him go.
- Mannix also weighs in on the newly-opened Magic job, tweeting that Jazz assistant Igor Kokoskov could be a dark horse candidate to replace Frank Vogel. Current Orlando GM John Hammond helped bring Kokoskov to the NBA, Mannix notes.
- Steve Kyler of Basketball Insiders relays what he has heard on head coaching situations around the NBA. Besides examining the five teams without a permanent coach in place, Kyler also takes a look at the Hawks, Hornets, Pistons, and Clippers.
I expect West to drop the Hatchet on Rivers by the end of this week. Would be a tone deaf move to retain Rivers. The team has dropped in wins since 2014.
Are the Clippers ready to step up next season and are willing to pay two coaches (Rivers final year plus new coach salary?)
Could be one more lame-duck year next year as they build assets. They are a broken franchise right now and not sure if they need to tread water or dip a little bit first before we start talking about competing again.
Harrell should be the starting 4 going forward. I would re-sign Jordan, he just wants to feel wanted in LA more then anything. With Beverley coming back next season they can get back to competing, draft Trent Jr to play shooting guard and they’ll be just fine.
Beverley-Trent Jr-Gallinari-Harrell-Jordan
Solid lineup to put on the floor.
I hope Kupchak gives Clifford a chance to finish out his three year deal he signed(1 year left).
Rivers has always been an overrated and bad coach. Celtics won in spite of him and he rode the hype for like 10 straight years.