2013 NBA

Los Angeles, CA

After days of on-and-off negotiations, the Los Angeles Clippers have finally lured coach Doc Rivers from the Boston Celtics, pending league approval.

According to a source, the Clippers will sign Rivers to a three-year, $21 million deal. As compensation, the Clippers will send a 2015 first-round pick to the Celtics.

As part of the deal, the Celtics have agreed to release Rivers from the remaining three-year deal he had with the club. The deal, however, is subject to approval by Commissioner David Stern.

Sources added that with Rivers on board, the Clippers can sign point guard Chris Paul to a maximum five-year contract before he becomes an unrestricted free agent on July 1.

Earlier, it was reported that Rivers wanted to leave the Celtics after nine years at the helm because he doesn't want to be a part of a rebuilding team without Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett on the roster.

However, a source close to Rivers said that the coach is frustrated with the perception that he was the driving force behind the push to go to the Clippers.

"Doc never said any such thing," a source close to the coach said. "He just wasn't sure if he could rev himself up for years of rebuilding. He never issued any ultimatums about anyone."

The Celtics have scheduled a news conference Monday where Rivers is expected to explain his decision to leave Boston.

The Clippers are also eyeing to acquire Kevin Garnett from the Celtics in exchange for center DeAndre Jordan.

 

 

 

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Clippers Finally Lure coach Doc Rivers from Celtics