Los Angeles Clippers: 5 goals for the 2018 offseason
By Simon Smith
2. Extend the contract of coach Doc Rivers
Prior to the last game of the Clippers’ season, Doc Rivers was uncertain about where his coaching future lay:
"“I love what I do, but that doesn’t mean that you keep doing it every year, do you know what I mean? 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.”"
Currently with one season remaining on his current deal, Rivers’ future is highly likely to go in one of two directions: sign an extension beyond next season, or part ways with the franchise immediately in order to potentially take up another coaching opening.
Having originally left the Boston Celtics in order to avoid a rebuild, the intentions of the Clippers moving forward in terms of forming their roster will likely play a huge part in Rivers’ decision-making.
Lawrence Frank met with the media yesterday for exit interviews and to discuss his takeaways from the season, the improvements among the players & coaching staff, and the plan for the Clippers moving forward.
— LA Clippers (@LAClippers) April 13, 2018
🎥 Watch the full interview: https://t.co/LQUvjl64SD pic.twitter.com/chwKbP2J34
Recently, the Clippers’ vice president of basketball operations, Lawrence Frank, put it simply regarding the movements of the franchise this summer and beyond:
"“Reboot is starting over. We’re not waving the flag. We’re not going into the tank.”"
This should certainly be music to the ears of Rivers, who at this stage of his coaching life will not be willing to waste multiple seasons on a full-blown tank and rebuild. Therefore, the Clippers’ front office and ownership would be wise to extend his current deal and get the frachise moving in the same direction.