Rivers will remain the team’s head coach.
Doc Rivers will be the Los Angeles Clippers’ president of basketball operations no longer.
Rivers has been relieved of his front office duties and will now focus primarily on his role as the team’s head coach, the Clippers announced on Friday. Executive vice president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank will assume basketball ops responsibilities.
«Doc knows how to win championships. That is what we prioritize, and that is what Doc will focus on, » Clippers owner Steve Ballmer said in a statement. «He is key to integrating our new players with our returning players and taking us to new heights on the court.»
Rivers, who signed a five-year, $50 million extension in 2014, will still be paid under the same contract, two people with knowledge of the situation told USA TODAY Sports’ Sam Amick. They spoke under the condition of anonymity because details of the restructuring were not announced.
«I am committed to the Clippers success and am excited to focus on the coaching side as two thirds of our roster will be new this year, » Rivers said. «This is a change I discussed with Steve since my bet last year on Lawrence Frank has worked out so well.»
Rivers came to Los Angeles in 2013 after a long stint with the Boston Celtics, where he coached the team to a championship in 2008. The Clippers have won 50-plus games in each season under Rivers, but haven’t advanced past the second round of the playoffs.
The roster features many new faces heading into this season — namely Pat Beverley and Danilo Gallinari — after the departure of star point guard Chris Paul, as well as JJ Redick, Jamal Crawford, Luc Mbah a Moute, Raymond Felton, and Marreese Speights.
“After a year in the organization’s front office, I am excited to continue to invest in our front office and I look forward to the opportunity, » Frank said. «Steve has charged us with taking the Clippers to the next level, and together with Doc we will do just that.”
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