According to a story by Andrew Grief for the Los Angeles Times, the LA Clippers will retain the services of The Logo, Jerry West, as an advisor for the team in 2019-20.

This is a boon for the Clippers, who have positioned themselves as the far more stable and future-focused franchise when compared the Los Angeles Lakers, who have been nothing short of a laughingstock ever since Magic Johnson stepped down from his administrative position.

Though the Lakers landed LeBron James, the Clippers have been the more model franchise as the team has made brilliant trades over the past two seasons with West in an advisory role. One such trade was with the Lakers, after which West and his Clippers cohorts actually laughed at their in-city rival.

The story by Greif in the LA Times goes on to say:

“[West’s] decision to stay with the team is the latest off-court victory for owner Steve Ballmer and president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank, who have now retained three key front-office executives in the last month.”

West returning alongside general manager Michael Winger and assistant GM Trent Redden means all three major front office players will return, which is good news per Grief’s story:

“Like West, Winger and Redden joined the Clippers’ front office two seasons ago as the team was expanding a formerly bare-boned front office under Ballmer and Frank. Beginning with the trade of franchise cornerstone Blake Griffin in 2018, the Clippers have begun an on-the-fly rebuild that has seen them dramatically reshape their roster while remaining competitive.”

West, who is one of the best players in NBA history for his on-court exploits, is also a brilliant behind-the-scenes basketball mind, as his help building the Golden State Warriors dynasty would convey.