Is Doc Rivers headed to Hollywood?
Boston Celtics head coach Doc Rivers, reported by ESPN’s Chris Broussard Wednesday, is apparently considering a change. Now, rumors are swirling that he could be headed to Los Angeles to coach the Clippers — and that Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett could be joining him, too.
The Clippers coaching seat is now vacant after the team decided Vinny Del Negro’s contract would not be renewed at the end of June. The current situation with the Clippers organization could be understandably tempting for Rivers, with plenty of up-and-coming players including dunk champion Blake Griffin, and if LA could get Doc’s veterans there too, it’d be a pretty enticing offer.
LA is reportedly considering Brian Shaw, Byron Scott and Lionel Hollins, but should Rivers show interest in coaching the team, he would become the number one choice.
Calm down, Celtics fans. The Clippers have yet to speak with Rivers. Several sources said Thursday that the Celtics want Rivers back on the bench next season.
It’d be quite the feat for the Clippers to pull off anyway, at least financially, seeing as Rivers still has three years left with the Celtics (a.k.a., $21 million). Trade bait would be iffy, too — Eric Bledsoe is basically Rajon Rondo, so that’s a no-go, and big man DeAndre Jordan has potential, but is his “potential” (8.8 points and 7.2 rebounds per game last season) really worth over $21 million to the Celtics?
It’s a possibility, but it doesn’t have much traction yet. Don’t buy into it too much — not yet, at least.
