While Kawhi Leonard and Kevin Durant have been more frequently mentioned as potential targets, the Clippers also figure to give a long look to Kyrie Irving this summer, if the star point guard considers leaving Boston. In fact, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic, the Clippers have already kicked the tires on Irving.
Charania reports that before they traded Tobias Harris to Philadelphia at this year’s deadline, the Clippers placed a preliminary call to the Celtics to inquire on Irving’s availability. The Celtics, whose ownership and senior leadership had agreed that the team wouldn’t shake things up in any real way at the trade deadline, gave the Clippers “a quick no,” per Charania.
As we wait to see if the Clips have more luck with Irving or other star free agents this summer, let’s round up a few more Pacific notes…
- Based on a handful of reports within the last week, we’ve learned that Kurt Rambis has been involved in the Lakers‘ coaching search. While Rambis currently serves as a senior advisor to the franchise, the team may intend to make him an associate head coach or an assistant general manager this offseason, writes Bill Plaschke of The Los Angeles Times.
- Within that same article, Plaschke writes that Jason Kidd doesn’t appear to be a serious candidate for the Lakers‘ head coaching job. According to Plaschke, the team’s interview with Kidd looks like more of a favor to his agent Jeff Schwartz, who represents Lakers forward Brandon Ingram.
- While Suns owner Robert Sarver has received criticism over the years for perceived meddling in the franchise’s basketball decisions, Sarver seems content – at the moment – to remain in the background and let new general manager James Jones run the show in Phoenix, writes Greg Moore of The Arizona Republic.
Jason Kidd ? seriously ??? On what basis ( track record) would a team think that would be a good selection ??!!