Steve Ballmer called several key players on the Los Angeles Clippers to get their opinions before parting ways with Doc Rivers as head coach.
Ballmer called both Kawhi Leonard and Paul George and sources say nothing the players told him changed his mind about moving on from Rivers. The Clippers acquired Leonard and George during the 2019 offseason in a bold series of moves that sent significant assets and future draft capital to the Oklahoma City Thunder. Leonard and George can become free agents in 2021.
The decision was ultimately Ballmer's, per ESPN.
Rivers, for his part, didn't feel comfortable continuing as coach without the full support of Ballmer.