The Los Angeles Clippers have emerged as the latest team to make a run for the top free agent in this 2019 offseason, but the up-and-coming Western Conference team won’t approach Kevin Durant without some familiar faces. Among them is team consultant Jerry West, who recently renewed his contract with the organization after joining the team in 2017, a year after Durant had signed with the Warriors.
Via Arash Markazi of The Los Angeles Times:
“The Clippers will have some familiar faces in the room should they sit down with Durant this summer. Clippers consultant Jerry West was with the Warriors when Golden State successfully recruited Durant three years ago. He helped sell Durant on the idea of the Warriors being the best landing spot for him if he wanted to win championships and have fun.
“When West, who successfully recruited Shaquille O’Neal to the Lakers in 1996, talks, people listen. There’s just something about advice coming from the man silhouetted in the NBA logo that carries a little more weight.”
West was a valued asset during his time with the Warriors and his contributions have perhaps flown under the radar during his time there, with most credit going to owner Joe Lacob and general manager Bob Myers, who now has two Executive of the Year awards to his name.
Among other familiar faces is general manager Michael Winger, who was the Oklahoma City Thunder assistant GM for seven seasons while Durant was there, as well as assistant coach Rex Kalamian, who was a constant presence on the Thunder’s bench from 2009-15.
Durant will be pitched on virtually the same as the two New York powerhouses (the Knicks and the Nets) will throw at him during their meeting — the opportunity to have his own team, along with the potential of adding another superstar player to pair him with.
The Clippers however, have the advantage of having a well-respected and veteran coach in Doc Rivers, who has won a championship and managed elite talent under his helm. That and the opportunity to rival LeBron James across the hall will be some of the biggest points of interest for the four-time scoring champion heading into this offseason.
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