Golden State Warriors must keep Jerry West at all costs

Feb 20, 2016; Morgantown, WV, USA; Former West Virginia Mountaineer Jerry West looks on during the game between the West Virginia Mountaineers and the Oklahoma Sooners at the WVU Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 20, 2016; Morgantown, WV, USA; Former West Virginia Mountaineer Jerry West looks on during the game between the West Virginia Mountaineers and the Oklahoma Sooners at the WVU Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports /
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With reports of the Los Angeles Clippers trying to lure Jerry West away from the Golden State Warriors, the team must do what it takes to keep him.

Wherever Jerry West has gone in his career, success has followed. Whether it’s as a player or an executive, West has been one of the most influential individuals in the history of professional basketball. He is the logo after all.

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That’s why it comes as a bit of big news on Tuesday night, that Marc Stein is reporting the Los Angeles Clippers are trying to bring West into the fold and take him away from the Golden State Warriors.

No one should be surprised that the Clippers are trying to get West to spread his influence, as every team in the league would love to have him in the fold. It just comes down to whether or not West will leave.

Stein notes in his piece that West is indeed under contract with Golden State until July, and the team wants him back. So it’s really going to be up to West whether or not he wants the new challenge of taking on another franchise and leading them to success.

We know right now that this is a major offseason for the Clippers. After yet another early exit and another year of not going deep into the playoffs, this team has to rethink where they’re going as a franchise and it could be one that sees several key pieces leave.

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Golden State on the other hand, has a chance to add another championship to their trophy case and know where their future is. However, West’s ties to the Los Angeles area certainly make the case for going to the Clippers a compelling one.

That’s why Golden State must do whatever it takes to keep him on board. The work he has done can’t be quantified and everyone in the organization would probably say they’re a lot better from having him around. Legends just don’t grow on trees and visionaries certainly don’t either.