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NBA Rumors: Clippers trying to pry Jerry West away from the Warriors

By Akash Anavarathan

Feb 20, 2016; Morgantown, WV, USA; Former West Virginia Mountaineer Jerry West looks on during the game between the West Virginia Mountaineers and the Oklahoma Sooners at the WVU Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 20, 2016; Morgantown, WV, USA; Former West Virginia Mountaineer Jerry West looks on during the game between the West Virginia Mountaineers and the Oklahoma Sooners at the WVU Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Los Angeles Clippers are trying to establish a direction for their middling franchise. According to a report, they’re approaching Warriors’ Jerry West.

If you can’t beat the Golden State Warriors, might as well try to emulate them, right? That’s the dilemma that the Los Angeles Clippers are facing, heading into one of their most important offseasons. Chris Paul and Blake Griffin are set to be free agents this summer and the Clippers organization has to set the direction of their franchise. This will be a summer that could set them up for future success or push them back a few more seasons.

With decisions with heavy future implications, the Clippers might be turning to an enemy for help. Jerry West has been working with Golden State in an advisory role since 2011. He’s been instrumental in many moves, including the Klay Thompson trade that never happened. West also pushed for the Steve Kerr hiring and also was a key figure in the signing of Kevin Durant. Joe Lacob, the Warriors’ owner, has expressed interest in bringing back West and will likely go after him aggressively.

The 78-year old is set to be a free agent this summer, as his contract with Golden State is expiring. There was talk that West would join the Los Angeles Lakers, as he was a former player there. But now, it looks as if the Clippers might be trying to poach West away from the Warriors, per ESPN’s Marc Stein.

Currently, Doc Rivers is the main man running the show for the Clippers, as he’s President of Basketball Operations and the Head Coach. Looks like Steve Ballmer and the others in the organization want an expert in re-shaping franchises, in Jerry West.

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It looks like the Clippers are trying to find their way in the Western Conference, after years of disappointing playoff exits. Not a bad place to start with a former NBA champion and a Hall-of-Fame level executive.

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