Last week, it was reported that the Los Angeles Clippers had reached out to Warriors consultant, and long time LA resident, Jerry West, to gauge his interest in filling a similar role for the Southern California team moving forward. With his contract up this offseason, West has yet to commit to Golden State beyond this year, and reports stated that West was considering the offer to move to the Clippers’ front office.
Tim Kawakami of the San Jose Mercury News reported on Twitter that he spoke with West via phone (the executive is currently on a fishing trip in Alaska) on Thursday, and asked the Hall of Famer if he’s made a decision. West said he had not.
I asked West for an update on his situation with the Warriors/Clippers: “I don’t have any update on that. I’ve got a decision to make…
— Tim Kawakami (@timkawakami) June 8, 2017
Final West: “I don’t know what that decision is going to be. I don’t really want to talk about it.”
— Tim Kawakami (@timkawakami) June 8, 2017
“Whatever Jerry wants to do, that’s what I want him to do. I want him to be happy,” Warriors head coach Steve Kerr told Kawakami. “He’s made a huge impact on our organization. He’s a great mentor for me… We’ll see what he does.”
Kawakami also asked West about Kevin Durant, fresh off his series defining three-pointer in last night’s Game 3 victory over Cleveland. West expressed both his awe at Durant’s performance, and his disdain for those, specifically ex-players, who have criticized him since making the move from Oklahoma City to Golden State this offseason.
West on the 15-0 Warriors playoff run: “My gosh, you’re seeing something special. And you may not ever see it again…
— Tim Kawakami (@timkawakami) June 8, 2017
West on Durant: “The way he’s been treated by some people, ex-players in particular… I think it’s horrible. He’s just a great person.
— Tim Kawakami (@timkawakami) June 8, 2017
More West on Durant: “If you look at him and you’re around him, he’s an unbelievable professional.
— Tim Kawakami (@timkawakami) June 8, 2017
West’s presence has had a significant impact on the Warriors’ franchise since Joe Lacob made him one of the team’s first hires after taking over as owner. West was a vocal supporter of not trading Klay Thompson for Kevin Love in 2014, going so far as to say he’d quit if Golden State pulled the trigger on the deal. He also called Kevin Durant after the infamous Hampton’s meeting this summer, with many crediting the conversation as a tipping point in convincing Durant to sign.
West has spent a fair share of of his professional life in Los Angeles both as a player and executive. West was an architect of the Showtime Lakers of the 80’s, and the Kobe-Shaq dynasty in the late 90s-early 2000s.
The Clippers franchise enters the 2017 offseason at a crossroads with with starters Chris Paul, Blake Griffin and JJ Redick all bound for free agency on July 1.