The Los Angeles Lakers almost assuredly will be in the market for a new head coach this offseason, and there is one person they reportedly would really want to have.
Peter Vecsey wrote on Patreon Monday that the Lakers like Doc Rivers and would want to give him the job if he is interested. The article is subscription based, and you can find it here.
Even if there is mutual interest between Rivers and the Lakers, getting him would not be so easy. Rivers just signed a two-year extension prior to the season that keeps him under contract through 2020-2021. The LA Times has said that Rivers makes about $11 million per season.
Clippers owner Steve Ballmer does not seem like the kind of person to let a desirable coach go without a fight — especially to the Lakers. He could also get involved in a bidding war and pay top dollar to retain Rivers since coach salaries do not count against the salary cap/luxury tax.
Rivers is one of the most respected coaches in the league and has a proven record of success coaching in Boston, where he won a championship, and with the Clippers, where he’s been for six seasons. The success the Clippers have had this season was unexpected to many and is viewed as a credit to their head coach and front office.
