The Los Angeles Clippers are riding high after a moribund start. Now, they’re rewarding the team’s architect.
Amid a 15-3 run that has saved the franchise’s season, the Clippers have agreed with president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank on a multiyear contract extension, according to The Athletic. The terms of the deal were not revealed, though it’s reportedly believed to be for four years.
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The team has not confirmed the deal.
Frank has been with the Clippers since 2014 and was promoted to be their top basketball executive by owner Steve Ballmer in 2017. The team has posted a record above .500 every year since, with six trips to the playoffs and one Western Conference finals appearance.
Under Frank, the Clippers executed the stunning moves that brought in Kawhi Leonard and Paul George and began the team’s current era, which has been marred by injuries, playoff frustrations and, most recently, a scandal that has called the circumstances of Leonard’s acquisition into question. However, the team has remained competitive in the Western Conference with an ever-changing supporting cast, with Frank regularly active on the margins.
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The Clippers still have some ground to make up before this season can be considered respectable, though. At 21-24, they rank 10th in the West and are six games back from the Minnesota Timberwolves for the final guaranteed playoff spot.