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Report: Los Angeles Clippers interested in hiring Jerry West from Golden State Warriors

By The Sports Xchange
Golden State Warriors executive Jerry West (left) jokes with Stephen Curry (right) prior to a game against the Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Center in Los Angeles, December 7, 2016. File photo by Jon SooHoo/UPI
Golden State Warriors executive Jerry West (left) jokes with Stephen Curry (right) prior to a game against the Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Center in Los Angeles, December 7, 2016. File photo by Jon SooHoo/UPI | License Photo

The Los Angeles Clippers reportedly are interested in hiring NBA legend Jerry West from the Golden State Warriors.

League sources told ESPN's Marc Stein that the Clippers would like to bring the 79-year-old West into their organization in an advisory capacity, similar to the ?role he holds with the Warriors since May 2011.

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The Hall of Famer is under contract with the Warriors through July as a member of the franchise's executive board. He previously was an executive with the Los Angeles Lakers and Memphis Grizzlies, winning NBA Executive of the Year twice.

Warriors owner Joe Lacob said last week he wants West to remain with the team.

"We want (West) back," Lacob told the San Jose Mercury News. "We love him. He's been a great contributor to the organization, someone I consider a personal friend, as well. We would love him back, and we've made that known."

The Clippers, who made the playoffs in each of the last six seasons and finished 2016-17 with a 51-31 record, have failed to get out the second round each year.

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Clippers owner Steve Ballmer and head coach/president Doc Rivers face a critical summer as All-Stars Chris Paul and Blake Griffin can each opt out of their contract while JJ Redick will become an unrestricted free agent on July 1.

West transitioned from a Hall of Fame playing career with the Lakers to the architect the club's 1980s dynasty that brought five championships. He also was behind the maneuvering that enabled the Lakers to acquire both Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal within the span of a few weeks in 1996.

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