While president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank and owner Steve Ballmer will ultimately make personnel decisions for the Clippers this summer, consultant Jerry West – who will represent the franchise at Tuesday’s draft lottery – figures to have a “significant say,” writes Marc Stein of The New York Times.
“I don’t just want to be a figurehead,” West said of his role with the Clippers. “You want to be a part of the decision-making process. I don’t have the final decision here, but I do have a voice.”
Within his look at West’s role in Los Angeles, Stein notes that the veteran executive helped convince the Clippers to go through with the Blake Griffin trade, even if it made the team look bad after having just extended Griffin seven months earlier. West, who felt his influence was fading in Golden State, elected to ink a two-year contract with L.A. last summer, and may ultimately stay with the franchise longer than that.
“If he still wants to do it, we can go beyond that,” said Clippers owner Ballmer. “Now that I know him better, I can’t see him retiring.”
Here’s more from Stein:
- Within his weekly newsletter for The Times, Stein writes that “word is” the Raptors quietly explored the possibility of trading DeMar DeRozan during the 2017 offseason. That doesn’t mean that the Raps want to move DeRozan or that they’ll explore trade options for him again this summer. However, Stein fully expects Toronto to do its due diligence on the trade market — not just with DeRozan, but with everyone on the roster.
- There’s a general belief that the Milwaukee head coaching job is the one Mike Budenholzer wants most, but that’s not a lock, according to Stein, who suggests that the former Hawks coach will have multiple meetings with both the Bucks and Raptors. Stein writes that Budenholzer “could well have preferences that outsiders aren’t privy to” after those meetings. ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski has said that the Raptors opened talks with Budenholzer over the weekend and continued those conversations on Monday, while Michael Grange of Sportsnet.ca tweeted today that Toronto has already met with Budenholzer.
- Speaking of the Raptors‘ head coaching job, Stein also reported on Monday that Toronto is interviewing assistants Nick Nurse and Rex Kalamian for that position today.
Jerry West is possibly the best team and builder in the history of the NBA. The Lakers of course, built the Memphis Grizzlies into perennial playoff studs, and of course major influence on key Warriors transactions. Trade Monte for a sinner, draft clay while he wasn’t on any of the big boards, hire Steve Kerr though we had no experience….
The Clippers would be well-advised to listen to everything Jerry West has to say.
Sorry I didn’t even prove check my voice to text.
Trade Monta Ellis for a center.
Best team builder.
Draft Klay.
Jerry is the best and as a laker fan was upset when they passed on his services.
Bogut and Stephn Jackson are both pretty salty guys, but “sinner” is a bit much!
Jerry West has forgotten more about basketball then most executives presently know about the game. He’s a genius in recognizing talent and is rarely wrong on personnel decisions.
Watch Jerry move the 2 picks,Rivers,and Gallinari for Westbrook.
lol that would definetely get Doc out of town. Still think Doc will step down or part ways. I feel Clips want to trade one pick and make a selection with the other. So perhaps if they get in the top 3 maybe flip that and hope you still can get the guy you want at 12. For some reason I think they end up with Trae Young.
There is good talent in the 12-13 area. Clippers could really make out by staying there. Though getting Westbrook would be nice
DMDR to be a Clipper next season
DeMar DeRozan for Bogdan Bogdanovic, Temple, Shumpert, and Kings’ 2018 2nd round pick…Sacramento drafts Doncic or Porter, or trades down to get either one of the Bridges, still Porter, or maybe a Kevin Knox…Thoughts?