JJ Redick and Doc Rivers have a somewhat conflictive relationship. Redick played for four seasons with Rivers with the Clippers, initially starting out on good terms but ending on a sour note.
Redick was originally one of Rivers’ most aggressive acquisitions. In the end, the team had no interest in bringing him back.
Here’s how the two ended up together and where things stand today.
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JJ Redick’s contract with the Clippers, explained
JJ Redick’s Doc Rivers Recruitment
Redick came to the NBA after a historic career at Duke. He was selected by the Magic with the 11th pick of the 2006 NBA Draft and was initially thought to be something of a bust before becoming more consistent in his fourth season. From there, he became a solid bench player for the Magic and Bucks, earning Sixth Man of the Year fame.
Redick was a free agent after his seventh season and was in the prime of his career. Rivers had just been traded from the Celtics to the Clippers to serve as coach and general manager.
Rivers targeted Redick as his top free agent option as soon as he took over that role. Redick was going to sign with the Timberwolves, but Rivers convinced him to join Chris Paul and Blake Griffin. The deal was almost done until Clippers owner Donald Sterling intervened.
Donald Sterling almost ruined Redick deal because of his race
Sterling attempted to cancel Redick’s contract after Rivers and Redick’s agent, Arn Tellem, had already agreed to the terms. Rivers recalled the story to TNT’s Ernie Johnson..
“I get a call from [Clippers executive] Andy Roeser. He says, ‘Hey, the deal’s off.’ I say, ‘What do you mean the deal’s over?’ ‘Donald doesn’t like white players.'”
Rivers was so furious with Sterling that he threatened to resign on the spot. A few hours later, Sterling approved the deal and Redick was in Los Angeles.
JJ Redick Clippers contract details
Redick was technically traded to the Clippers as part of a three-team sign-and-trade deal. The Clippers sent Eric Bledsoe, Caron Butler and a second-round pick, which became Marcus Paige, in exchange for Redick, who signed a four-year, $27 million contract.
The Clippers also received Jared Dudley in the trade, who became a useful rotation player for them. The Bucks, owners of Redick’s Bird Rights, received two second-round picks for helping facilitate the signing.
Redick started 265 of his 266 career games with the Clippers, averaging 15.8 points per game and making 44.0 percent of his three-pointers. The Clippers won many games with him, but never fulfilled their championship aspirations.
JJ Redick fights with Doc Rivers
Redick went on to have the best years of his career with Rivers, but as he declined, Rivers played with him less. This caused friction, according to Rivers.
“JJ has had a problem with me for a while, and that’s okay, the players have it.” Rivers told ESPN’s Stephen A Smith. “One thing is that when you coach, Stephen A., you can be called a players’ coach or whatever you want to be called.
“But if you make decisions that a player doesn’t agree with, in JJ’s case, we didn’t re-sign him. With the Clippers, I stopped playing with him as much because he wasn’t very effective in the playoffs.”
Since then, Redick has attacked Rivers numerous times in media appearances. including the first shot of ESPNfor resorting so frequently to excuses after his teams’ poor performances in the playoffs.
