Report: Los Angeles Clippers close to deal with Michael Winger as new GM
LOS ANGELES (AP) — The expansion of the Los Angeles Clippers’ front office isn’t done yet.
After removing Doc Rivers’ title as president of basketball operations earlier this month, the team has reached an agreement with Oklahoma City’s Michael Winger to become their general manager, a person familiar with the deal told The Associated Press on Wednesday.
Winger will replace Dave Wohl, who is staying with the team as a special adviser, said the person who spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal has yet to be announced publicly.
Winger had been an assistant GM and team counsel for the Thunder for the last seven years. Previously, the 37-year-old executive worked for the Cavaliers.
Also being brought on board is Trent Redden as assistant GM. Redden had been senior VP of basketball operations with Cleveland until he, along with top executive David Griffin, were fired last spring. Winger and Redden worked together for the Cavs.
Winger and Redden will report to Lawrence Frank, the Clippers’ executive vice president of basketball operations.
Rivers, who will solely focus on coaching, and Frank are equals in the Clippers’ power structure, with each reporting directly to owner Steve Ballmer.
It’s been a busy summer for the Clippers. They traded All-Star guard Chris Paul to Houston in June, and this month they re-signed All-Star forward Blake Griffin and acquired forward Danilo Gallinari from Denver.
