LOS ANGELES — Doc Rivers is losing his dual roles with the Los Angeles Clippers, keeping his position as coach while Lawrence Frank takes over Rivers’ responsibility for basketball operations.

The team announced the changes Friday, saying the moves are “aimed at bringing the team to a new level of excellence by creating separate roles.” The team said the change came as a result of discussions between Rivers and the owner, Steve Ballmer.

Rivers and Frank will be equals in the power structure, with each reporting directly to Ballmer.

Last year, Frank was promoted to oversee day-to-day operations of the front office although Rivers retained his title as president of basketball operations. Frank and Rivers have a strong relationship, and worked together to make hires and changes in the front-office structure.

Frank has had previous NBA head coaching jobs in New Jersey and Detroit.

SPURS: San Antonio re-signed reserve guard Patty Mills, who shot 41 percent from 3-point range last season.

Details of the contract were not disclosed.

Mills spent the past six seasons with the Spurs. He averaged 9.5 points and a career-best 3.5 assists last seasons. Mills also made 147 3-pointers during his career-high 21.9 minutes per game.

PISTONS: Detroit signed Jason Maxiell to a contract, allowing him to retire as a member of the organization.

Maxiell spent eight seasons with the Pistons and was part of three runs to the Eastern Conference finals.

General Manager Jeff Bower said Maxiell and his representatives reached out to the Pistons about his desire to sign one last contract with the team before retiring.

Maxiell was drafted by the Pistons in 2005. He also played for Orlando and Charlotte.

LAKERS: Los Angeles signed guard Vander Blue, the G- League’s most valuable player last season.

Blue averaged 15.0 points, 3.8 rebounds and 3.0 assists for the Lakers’ Las Vegas summer league team, which won the title recently.

Blue, a 6-foot-5 guard, played last season for the South Bay Lakers of the G-League, averaging 24.8 points, 5.1 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.6 steals. He became the team’s career leader in points, field goals made and free throws made during four seasons.

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