Even after the Los Angeles Clippers traded for Lance Stephenson, there’s more work to be done, if Doc Rivers and company want to be championship contenders out west. Rivers sees Stephenson as more of a “utility player” off the bench, which means the Clippers currently are in the need of a starting small forward.
He could try to entice a former Celtics great to join him on the cheap.
Rivers even said as much in a radio appearance yesterday.
“We got a lot of work to do,” Rivers said. “Worst case, and it’s not a bad case, I still think that Lance is an upgrade, even at that position if we wanted to start him. I’m planning on doing more things this summer.”
According to ESPN’s Arash Markazi, Rivers is referring the exploration of a deal for Paul Pierce.
One of the options the Clippers are exploring, according to sources, is Paul Pierce, who could sign a mini-midlevel exception of $3.37 million for up to three years if he declines his $5.5 million player option with Washington. Players don’t normally turn down money but it’s essentially a $1 million difference this season for Pierce, 37, to return home and be reunited with Rivers, who was his coach in Boston for nine seasons, including the 2007-08 championship.
Doc would probably save himself frustration and heartache by exploring younger options at the three.