The Clippers are expected to bring back head coach Doc Rivers next season. Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

The Los Angeles Clippers fell woefully short of expectations this season, which has led to some speculation that big changes could be coming. If that happens, it doesn’t sound like one of them will be at head coach.

Doc Rivers is expected to return as the head coach of the Clippers next season, according to Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports. One of the main reasons Haynes cited for that is that Kawhi Leonard signed with the Clippers in large part because he wanted to play for Rivers.

The Clippers were considered by many to be the favorite in the Western Conference after they added Leonard and George. They had a 3-1 lead over the Denver Nuggets in the Western Conference semifinals and found a way to lose the series. That was not the first time the Clippers blew a 3-1 series lead under Rivers, as they did the same against the Houston Rockets back in 2015. One player took a shot at Rivers over that after L.A. was eliminated in Orlando.

Despite all that, Rivers has championship experience and is still considered one of the best coaches in the NBA. He deserves a second chance with Leonard and George, even if players hinted at some potentially significant issues with the team.

More must-reads:

TODAY'S BEST
Giants All-Star pitcher suffers setback in recovery from injury
Watch: Juan Soto's first multi-homer game as a Yankee
'Ain't good enough': Draymond Green claims Celtics must 'win it all' or it's a 'failure'
Raptors expected to flip former NBA champion during the offseason
MLB insider reveals Mets' massive extension offer that Pete Alonso turned down
Celtics legend provides update after gruesome finger injury
Bulls hire former NBA head coach as top assistant
Chiefs move on from young running back
20-year MLB veteran working out, unsure about playing future
USA Hockey names HC for 2025 4 Nations Face-Off and 2026 Olympics
Key Knicks forward ruled out for Game 7 vs. Pacers
Pacers' Pascal Siakam leads team to Game 6 win vs. Knicks
Watch: Matt Duchene's 2OT winner sends Stars to conference final
Scottie Scheffler shoots improbable 66 after warming up for PGA Championship in a jail cell
Report: Tua Tagovailoa away from Dolphins amid contract chatter
Nuggets star has worrying comment about latest injury
Paul Skenes makes incredible Wrigley Field history in second-career MLB start
Giants rookie CF to undergo season-ending labrum surgery
Yankees' Juan Soto reacts to Hal Steinbrenner contract talk
Late goal sends Panthers to Eastern Conference Finals

Want more Clippers news?

Join the hundreds of thousands of fans who start their day with Yardbarker's Morning Bark, the best newsletter in sports.