NBA Rumors: Could Doc Rivers find his way to the New York Knicks?
NBA Rumors: As the LA Clippers head into a rebuild, could Doc Rivers find his way to the New York Knicks?
Once the LA Clippers traded Chris Paul last summer and eventually Blake Griffin last month, one thing was clear: the Clippers are heading into a different era of basketball.
Question is, will this new era involve Doc Rivers?
It’s difficult to predict, but if history tells us anything it’s that Rivers likely won’t be interested in a long rebuild. Assuming that’s the route the Clippers will eventually head down – unless they can lure a big name free agent during the summer – Rivers could be looking for a way to gracefully exit, and a nice fluffy landing spot.
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One potential pivot for Rivers could come with the New York Knicks, according to the New York Post.
Jeff Hornacek is still under contract, but there’s no certainty that he will return once it expires – or even next season. And in the coaching business, teams are only as loyal as their options. And if an accomplished coach like Rivers becomes available, there’s no guarantee that the Knicks won’t see this as an opportunity to upgrade at the position.
"[via New York Post]But according to a former Rivers associate, it’s not far-fetched for the one-time Knicks guard to have interest in the team’s coaching job if Jeff Hornacek, who has one year left on his contract, is let go after the season.“Doc enjoyed his time there,’’ the former associate said. “He respects the city, he respects the organization.’’"
The big disconnect here, of course, is the fact that Rivers isn’t exactly a fan of the rebuild. When he left the rebuilding Celtics to join the Clippers, he wasn’t rebuilding. He was supposed to be the final piece.
The Knicks don’t need a final piece. They’re still building at the base, especially after the Kristaps Porzingis injury.
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But maybe Rivers believes that he can lure the big free agent to New York, something that the team has failed to do time and time again over the last few summers. And even when they did get the big name, they signed the wrong one in 2010.
Perhaps the Knicks and Rivers could be a right fit for each other, but the timing just doesn’t seem right at the moment. We’ll see if they agree.