The Los Angeles Clippers have reached agreement with assistant coach Lawrence Frank on a promotion to executive vice president of basketball operations.
Frank will be charged with reshaping the franchise’s front office, including building out the infrastructure of its scouting, sports science and long-term strategic planning, sources said.
Clippers owner Steve Ballmer has committed to significant resources in staff and budget for those pursuits, sources said.
Clippers general manager Dave Wohl remains on the job, but will report to Frank and Rivers, sources said.
The Clippers are one of six teams meeting with Oklahoma City free agent Kevin Durant in the Hamptons in Long Island, New York, on Friday and Saturday, sources said. The Clippers are set to meet on the first day of meetings Friday along with the Golden State Warriors, league sources told The Vertical. The San Antonio Spurs and Oklahoma City Thunder are meeting with Durant on Saturday, sources said.
Frank, 45, has been a two-time head coach in the NBA with New Jersey and Detroit, and had been working toward a transition to the front office in recent years. As Nets coach, Frank reached the Eastern Conference semifinals three out of his first four seasons on the job. He won 279 games as a head coach, including an 18-20 (.474) playoff record.
Frank has been an assistant coach and defensive coordinator for the past two seasons with the Clippers.