Well, at least it was fun while it lasted? After some brief speculation that the Los Angeles Lakers had interest in snaring Los Angeles Clippers head coach Doc Rivers from the team's cross-town rival, it appears as though such a rumor has already been halted in its tracks.
According to Rivers himself, there is absolutely no truth to the possibility of him jumping ship with the Clippers en route to ultimately joining the Lakers.
“Let me end this,” Rivers told reporters on Tuesday, via Mirjam Swanton of the Southern California News Group. “Magic Johnson and I are very close friends…but Steve Ballmer and I have a great relationship. He gave me an out, where I could opt-out this summer…early this year, let's end this thing, extend, make it a longer deal. I'm here. My job is not done. I just wanted to make sure it was the right fit for all of us. Everybody we've brought in, I absolutely think the world of. As far as a workplace, this is a great place to work.”
So not only is Rivers not heading across Los Angeles to the Lakers, but the veteran NBA head coach appears primed to remain with the Clippers for the foreseeable future.
“Doc Rivers puts an end to any speculation of him and the Lakers coaching job by saying that he and Steve Balmer have agreed earlier this season to a new extension that still needs paperwork to be finalized,” reads a recent report from Ohm Youngmisuk of ESPN. “But Rivers, who had an option out of his contract this summer, made it clear that he plans on remaining with the Clippers.”
Though the Lakers certainly have an illustrious history, the Lakers have struggled mightily over the course of the last several seasons, which could have played a role in Rivers' ultimate decision.
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