California Dreaming? Welcome Doc Rivers As The New Head Coach Of The Los Angeles Clippers
Over the past few weeks, the Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Clippers have been engaging in trade discussions centered about coach Doc Rivers, Kevin Garnett, Eric Bledsoe, DeAndre Jordan and 1st round pick. Even more-so, the trade was nearly almost overshadowing the NBA Finals that just concluded 3 days ago with the Miami Heat repeating as champions.
The off-season unofficially started before the NBA Finals, which the Celtics immediately started looking to rebuild for the future with Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett’s franchise player ability nearing an end. Doc Rivers who had three years and $21M left on his coaching contract with Boston, saw the franchise heading in a difference direction, which he felt it was time to move on to future endeavors.
As compensation in the new deal, the Clippers send the Celtics their future 2015 first-round pick, why may not even matter with Chris Paul on the verge of signing a max-deal to make not only Los Angeles a destination spot, but playing under Doc as well too. CP3 is the biggest story out of the “trade” for the Clippers, who is now imminent to stay put in LA with Blake Griffin under the league’s second best coach in Doc Rivers.
Check after the jump for more on the deal.
Under the new deal, Doc will now agree to a 3-Year/$21M Deal with the Los Angeles Clippers, being the same as his remaining contract with the Celtics. Contrary to earlier reports of Doc wanting out, Jackie MacMullan of ESPNBoston.com broke news of Danny Ainge and Celtics management wanting to rebuild with a new coach as well. We’re not expecting a big name coach landing in Boston now, as we’re expecting an intern coach for the time being to join the Celtics.
Paul Pierce can be bought out for $5M before June 30th and if they can’t trade him in time, they’ll have to hold him for $15.3M which he may be stuck with a rebuilding Boston Celtics with other teams not looking to take a big contract for an player on the decline.
Like Pierce, Kevin Garnett is also nearing the end of his career and is only one year removed from re-upping on a 3-year deal with Boston lasting until June 2015. Los Angeles has been heavily engaged in landing KG which would force them part ways with Eric Bledsoe and DeAndre Jordan now that Boston has their 1st round pick. League commissioner, David Stern vetoed the idea of including a coach in a trade scenario with players, but now we’re expecting the same outcome to occur with all parties satisfied.
L.A. Live will be the hottest spot next May, when the Western Conference finals go down!
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