The Los Angeles Clippers are approaching the 2016-17 NBA season on a positive note with most of their main players around to help. Head coach Glenn “Doc” Rivers believes that they have a promising season ahead with Blake Griffin, Chris Paul and DeAndre Jordan leading the charge.
The Clippers could have gotten additional help had they successfully lured Kevin Durant to the fold. As everyone knows by now, Durant opted to join the Golden State Warriors.
Despite the lost opportunity, Rivers doesn’t seem to be bothered by it. He prefers to work on what he has right now starting with his main guys.
As far as the status of Griffin is concerned, the slam-dunking forward is not heading anywhere. Rivers cleared the air and doused water on trade rumors, capping it by saying that he wants the burly power forward to start and end his career as a Clipper.
Fast-forwarding to 2017 free agency, that wish could be challenged. Griffin and Paul are two players with expiring contracts which means they will be looking at what offers come their way. For his part, Rivers is confident he can keep both, NBA.com reported.
With that pretty far off, Rivers is busy retooling his team. Aside from his “big three”, the Clippers were able to snag Marreese Speights and Raymond Felton. It will be technically an intact lineup from the 2015-16 season which is why there are high expectations for the Clips.
One player whose future is unclear is veteran Paul Pierce. There is no final word on whether he will play on or retire but Rivers is ready for either. In fact, he plans to give the sweet-shooting forward a fitting farewell by making sure he retires as a Boston Celtic, ESPN reported.
Pierce spent most of his playing days with the Celtics and was with Rivers when Boston won the NBA title back in 2008. Other than that, Rivers is upbeat on the Clippers’ 2016-17 campaign.
The video below sees new LA Clippers guard Raymond Felton sending a message to the team's fans and supporters.