There's a 90% chance Doc Rivers will be coaching the Celtics again next season, but Rivers has yet to make his final decision, according to Steve Bulpett of the Boston Herald. If Rivers walks away from the final three years of his contract, it won't be with the intention of coaching another team. Even if he wanted to coach another team during the years remaining on his deal, the Celtics don't intend to let him, Bulpett hears.
The uncertainty began the night the Celtics were eliminated from the playoffs, when Rivers told reporters he'd have to think about it before deciding whether to come back next season. The coach tried to soften those remarks later the same evening, but has yet to make any definitive statement. Danny Ainge, the team's president of basketball operations, tried to do as much when he declared that Rivers would be back, but speculation remains.
Bulpett encourages Rivers to make his intentions known one way or the other, and said the team's pursuit of free agents will be hindered if he doesn't do it soon. I'd be surprised if this saga drags on into July, when free agents can sign with teams, though knowing who their coach will be would probably help the C's as they explore the possibility of trades leading up to the draft.