Clippers coach/executive Doc Rivers is denying a report that an ongoing feud between his son, Austin, and Chris Paul led to Paul’s trade to Houston today, according to Brad Turner of The Los Angeles Times. In a series of tweets, Doc Rivers thanked Paul for his years of service and called his departure a “big loss” for the team. He also said there have been rumors floating around that Paul was clashing with Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan as well as Austin Rivers.
“We’ve heard all the stories about Blake and DJ and Austin,” Doc Rivers said (Twitter link). “I can’t comment just on Austin because it’s just not right. We’ve heard he left because of all three today (Twitter link). There is a lot of speculation on why he left. The one thing I know is he didn’t leave because of any of those three guys (Twitter link). He left because he felt like he would have a better chance to win somewhere else.” (Twitter link)
There’s more today out of Los Angeles:
- The Clippers may re-examine the idea of trading Jordan now that Paul is gone, according to Zach Lowe of ESPN.com. Jordan and Griffin are something of an awkward pairing with both preferring to play near the basket, and Lowe suggests that the problem will worsen without an elite point guard on the floor. L.A.’s front office took several calls about Jordan last week and may decide to move him if the organization is headed toward a rebuilding project. Jordan has a player option worth a little more than $24MM for 2018/19.
- The Lakers‘ trade for Brook Lopez last week was about more than just cap relief, relays Mark Medina of The Orange County Register. Lopez, who grew up in North Hollywood, was acquired from the Nets along with the 27th pick in the draft in exchange for D’Angelo Russell and the three years and $48MM left on Timofey Mozgov‘s contract. “A lot of those emotions turned into general excitement with this opportunity to come back home and chance to lead the franchise back to success,” Lopez said today as he met the L.A. media. “I want to be out there teaching the young guys and being a guy that [coach] Luke [Walton] can rely on and do whatever he asks.”
- Despite talk that the Lakers will save their big free agency moves for next summer, new GM Rob Pelinka told Medina that he wants to contend right away (Twitter link). “We don’t see next year at all as a rebuilding year,” Pelinka said. “We see next year as a Lakers year.”
- Miles Simon has been added to the Lakers‘ coaching staff, the team announced on its website. The Most Outstanding Player of the 1997 NCAA Tournament, Simon has recent coaching experience with USA Basketball, capturing gold medals at several junior levels.
Doc is the problem, his coaching style does not fit modern day bball.
Window Shut.
I said all along they should’ve traded one of those big alley-oopers for someone with more ball skills. And too many injury prone players. They need to try and acquire some of Boston’s draft picks with their players. That and maybe a really good player elsewhere.
Clippers, Pacers, and Celtics match up very well for a 3 team trade that sends George to LA, Jordan to Boston, and Indiana getting players and draft picks from C’s. Which players go to the Pacers? Crowder, Bradley and Zeller matchup with dollars. Or, Celtics and Clippers trade directly; in either scenario the C’s then sign Hayward.
Yeah I’m not sure if Boston would rather have George and Hayward or Jordan and Hayward. One problem there is that I’m not sure Hayward comes if it’s Jordan since he’s not perceived to be on the same level as George,
C’s will not part ways with Bradley….@gmflores27 doc is the problem?… lol.. lol u obviously don’t watch b-ball.. lol
Why can’t the Knicks franchise be like the Clippers? lol. Rumored feuds are better than public media feuds even if they are true. But as for the Jordan or Griffin leaving the Clippers for the Celtics, Jordan makes sense not Griffin. The Celtics like Horford so signing Griffin would me you they’d have to pf’s and no rim protection.
And as for the Lakers, i think Lopez will be great for their young core. A level headed veteran coming in will help the youngsters. The only issue with the Lakers is, can Magic Johnson control Balls’ father? You know keep him quiet and out of the media. If not Ball could be a detrimental distraction for the Lakers.
*The Celtics like Horford so signing Griffin would mean that, they’d have two pf’s and no rim protection.