Clippers, Celtics talks called off, KG & Rivers stay put for now
It is back to the drawing board for Danny Ainge & Co. The Los Angeles Clippers have completely ended discussion that netted a package of Boston Celtics coach Doc Rivers and forward Kevin Garnett to LA, according to a source with direct knowledge of the negotiations. Danny Ainge also confirmed to the Boston Globe later this morning that the proposed LA-Boston deal is completely dead.
At one point, the Clippers appeared to be ready to give up their star center DeAndre Jordan and two first-round draft picks in exchange for KG and his longtime coach and friend. The person with this knowledge, who wanted complete anonymity because of the privacy of the discussions, told USA TODAY Sports that the deal said only one pick was offered to the Celtics. When the matter was closed for good on mid-day Tuesday, Boston was unaware the Clippers no longer wished to pursue any previous negotiations.
Rivers, who has three years and $21 million remaining on his Boston contract, clearly wanted to change time zones for the opportunity to start fresh and end the rebuilding stages that lied ahead of him in Boston. Reports state that the Clippers were willing to pay him $7 million dollars a year, but ESPN.com’s Ramona Shelburne said that it was the draft picks and veteran NBA-champion that caused the hold up.
“The talks broke down Tuesday morning when the Clippers ‘refused to budge’, straight up for Garnett, and two first-round picks,” Shelburne reported on the failed deal. “The teams have no plans to speak again, the source said, and the Clippers are preparing to move on and hire a coach this week.”
The Clippers have also told this source that they plan on interviewing former New Orleans Hornets and Cleveland Cavaliers coach Byron Scott sometime today and Indiana Pacers assistant coach Brian Shaw on Wednesday.
The Celtics organization, as well the 2013-2014 Celtics’ crowd, have a lot to think about on whether or not Rivers can return to his duties as if this whole thing never happened.
