Doc Rivers wants to keep the core of the Los Angeles clippers together this offseason. Chris Paul, Blake Griffin and J.J. Redick will all be free agents this summer.

“Here's my argument to (the question of whether all that luxury tax is worth it),” Rivers told USA TODAY Sports recently. “Let's say we don't win this year — which I think we will, (but) let's say we don't. Do you give up on a 50-win team that has proven that they're really close (to winning it all), or do you hang in there and keep trying to maybe make changes around (the core)?

“I always use Utah as a great (example). Thank God Karl Malone and (John) Stockton didn't listen to people, you know what I mean? They fell (in the playoffs), and kept trying and kept trying. And finally, late in their careers, they finally broke through to the Finals. They didn't win it (all). But you know, that's the pursuit. I just think it's so easy to (say), 'Hey, they should break up,' from the outside. And I think that's such an easy opinion.”

The Clippers could have $140 million in salaries and $56 million in luxury tax payments next season if they re-sign everyone.

Rivers is three years into a five-year deal worth more than $50 million.