Doc Rivers is leaving the Boston Celtics bench after nine seasons and an NBA title to take over in Los Angeles where he hopes to have All-Star point guard Chris Paul back in the mix with slam-dunking power forward Blake Griffin.
According to reports, Rivers was allowed out of his current deal, which had three years and $21 million remaining on it, in exchange for an unprotected first round draft choice in 2015. Rivers has agreed to a new deal with Los Angeles that will pay him the $21 million over three years he had left on the Celtics contract.
ESPN is reporting that the move to secure Rivers is expected to be enough to keep Paul a Clipper, meaning any dreams of Paul and Dwight Howard teaming up are likely quashed without the Clippers dealing Griffin.
Rivers was reportedly upset at the perception that he was a "driving force" in leaving Boston. A source with knowledge of the situation told ESPN "Doc never said any such thing. He just wasn't sure if he could rev himself up for years of rebuilding. He never issued any ultimatums about anyone." The same sources said that the Celtics organization wanted to unload Rivers because his prohibitive salary didn't make sense for a team that had no realistic title aspirations.
The move signals a clear rebuilding phase is underway in Boston, and could result in the departures of power forward Kevin Garnett and longtime Celtics swingman Paul Pierce. Pierce can be bought out for $5 million by June 30th, but are trying to ship him somewhere in exchange for a first round pick, sources say.
While Garnett and Pierce are in the twilights of their careers, both are still very productive NBA contributors. Last season Pierce scored 18.6 points per game to go along with 6.3 rebounds, and he took over the team when All-Star point guard Rajon Rondo tore his anterior cruciate ligament.
At the same time, Garnett served as Boston's center and defensive anchor, while giving the Celtics 14.8 points a night.
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