Celtics Trade Rumors: Doc Rivers, Kevin Garnett To L.A. Clippers?
According to recent Boston Celtics trade rumors, the Los Angeles Clippers have expressed interest in a deal that would bring head coach Doc Divers and center Kevin Garnett to the West Coast.
The deal would also send Clippers center DeAndre Jordan and guard Eric Bledsoe, as well as two first-round draft picks, to the Celtics. By some accounts, L.A. doesn’t want to include Bledsoe — who was originally selected as the 18th overall draft pick in the first round by the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2010 — in the package, but the Celtics want him included.
NESN reported Saturday that the Clippers and Celtics were in “deep” talks about the trade. In order for the deal to work, KG would have to waive his no-trade clause to head to L.A.
Celtics president of basketball operations has said that Rivers will be back in Boston next season. Clippers owner Donald Sterling, however, was willing to offer Rivers — who has been the Celtics’ head coach since 2004 — $7 million a year, which is similar to his current three-year, $21 million contract with the C’s.
Sterling could have ended up paying more for Rivers because of a strict non-compete clause included in his contract, which Boston insisted on when they signed Rivers to a five-year extension in 2011.
However, whatever interest the Clippers had in Doc Rivers apparently waned by Sunday, with Los Angeles Times reporter Brad Turner writing that the Clippers wanted to move forward without the 51-year-old former All-Star.
Clippers moving forward without Doc Rivers, now prepared to offer job to Brian Shaw or Lionel Hollins next week, sources
— Brad Turner (@BA_Turner) June 15, 2013
Doc Rivers been informed Clippers won’t accept Celtics offer. Rivers prepared to stay in Boston, sources.
— Brad Turner (@BA_Turner) June 15, 2013
Not only is the team no longer interested in Rivers, but they also appeared to not be budging on sending Bledsoe and a second No.1 draft pick to Boston.
Clippers won’t budge on their offer of DeAndre Jordan, one No. 1 pick. Clippers will not give Celtics Eric Bledsoe and another No.1 pick.
— Brad Turner (@BA_Turner) June 16, 2013
What do you think of the Celtics trade rumors? Do you think Boston would or should trade Kevin Garnett to the Clippers, even without Eric Bledsoe and a second No. 1 draft pick?
[Photo credit: Keith Alison / Flickr]
