The Clippers have caught fire over the past five weeks and now their top executive is reaping the benefits. President of basketball operations Lawrence Frank has agreed to a multiyear contract extension, four league sources told The Athletic’s Joe Vardon and Sam Amick.
While terms haven’t been disclosed the extension is believed to be for four years. Other senior staff members are also expected to be offered extensions, The Athletic duo adds.
Frank, 55, has served as the Clippers’ front-office president since 2017. He was an assistant coach with the Clippers from 2014-16 after head coaching stints with the Nets and Pistons.
Vardon reported in early December that owner Steve Ballmer was expected to give Frank and other front office members extensions despite the team’s poor start and aging roster. The seemed like a highly questionable decision when the Clippers hit rock bottom at 6-21 after a loss to Oklahoma City.
However, the team has orchestrated a turnaround since defeating the Lakers on Dec. 20. That victory began the Clippers’ current 15-3 run, moving them within three games of .500 and into 10th place on the conference standings, positioning the team for a play-in berth.
That resurgence has been led by Kawhi Leonard, who is averaging 31.8 points, 6.7 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 2.4 steals in his last 15 games and James Harden, who has averaged 25.1 points, eight assists, and 4.3 rebounds during the streak.
My number one question is why