Clippers Name Interim Pres. of Basketball Ops After Lawrence Frank Suspension From Kawhi Probe

Los Angeles Clippers interim governor John Gibson announced that general manager Trent Redden will serve as the team's interim president of basketball operations during Lawrence Frank's absence, via NBA insider Marc Stein.

"I have appointed Trent to serve as interim president of basketball operations while Lawrence Frank is away from the team," Gibson said in a video posted on YouTube (2:57 mark).

Frank was previously Los Angeles' president of basketball operations, although he received a six-month suspension after the NBA investigated the Clippers for violating salary cap circumvention rules regarding endorsement deals for Kawhi Leonard.

Clippers governor Steve Ballmer was also suspended from all league and team activities for one year following the probe, as Gibson was named interim CEO and governor of the organization on Monday.

The investigation delayed the agreed trade that sent Leonard from the Clippers to the Toronto Raptors, although it was eventually finalized on Sept. 14.

Redden led Los Angeles' communication with Toronto to get the blockbuster swap back on track, according to NBA insider Jake Fischer.

He initially joined the Clippers organization in 2017 after an 11-year stint with the Cleveland Cavaliers in which he operated in several roles.

Redden started his tenure in Los Angeles as an assistant general manager before he was eventually promoted to general manager in June 2023.

Now, he'll have a key role in the Clippers' decision-making process as they enter the 2026-27 season with a core that includes Darius Garland, Brandon Ingram and Keaton Wagler.