LA Clippers coach Doc Rivers will spend $100-million on players in the off-season and expects the team to make a significant splash, according to his team.
Speaking during a pregame press conference Tuesday, Rivers said the Clippers would “get something in return” for players such as DeAndre Jordan and Chris Paul.
“We’re going to give them a little bit of money, I can tell you that,” Rivers said, adding that he expects the players to be big part of the decision-making process in the summer.
Rivers has been the subject of a massive free agent bidding war since the Clippers traded for Chris Paul in the offseason.
He has had success recruiting other free agents, but he is under scrutiny from his players after the team failed to sign Pau Gasol and Chandler Parsons.
After the Clippers failed to land Pau Gasols, the organization opted to take Chandler Parsons in a trade with the New Orleans Pelicans.
The two-time All-Star will not re-sign with the Clippers, but the team hopes to get a similar return from him.
“I’ll be very candid,” Rivers told reporters.
“I’ll tell you what I want.
I want to get better, and I’ll give these guys $100,000 or $150,000, whichever it is.””
I think they’re going, ‘Oh, well, that’s fine, we don’t need the money.’
I think that’s a mistake.
I think they know that they can get better and they’re very focused on that.
I know it’s a little premature to say that, but I will tell you the truth.””
And I think we’re going do that, I’m going to go after them, and hopefully I’ll be able to bring in guys that will really help us.”
In addition to Rivers and his players, the Clippers are expected to hire a new coach, with Rivers confirming that he will hire a former college coach and former NFL player as his assistant.
The former player said he had spoken with the team before Rivers fired James Harden and added that he believes Rivers would bring in a former NBA player to take over the reins.
“If we get someone that’s going to be a head coach and mentor, a guy that can coach and teach, then I think I’ll go for it,” Rivers added.
“We have to find the right guy.
I don’t know who that guy is, but we’ve got to find that guy.”
Rivers’ decision to hire former players is not the only move that the Clippers made Tuesday.
He also announced that former players Chris Paul and Chris Webber will both sign five-year contracts, with Webber being the largest-paid player.
“When we have that much talent on the roster, that much respect and that much trust, I think it will be a really successful team,” Rivers explained.
“They’ve got a ton of talent, so I think you can see that, and that’s good for the league.”
