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Odds & Ends: Rivers, Saric, Clippers, D-League

June 16th, 2013 at 9:35pm CST by Zachary Links

While the big talk in the NBA right now is whether Doc Rivers will wind up coaching for the Celtics or Clippers next season, there's always the possibility that he takes the 2013/14 season off.  If that's the case, Rivers could go from behind the bench to back behind a microphone, a source tells A. Sherrod Blakely of CSNNE.com.  "You guys (media) have been around Doc long enough to know that's always been something he's talked about," the source said. "So it shouldn't come as a surprise. And frankly, now is probably as good a time as any for him to go that route."  Here's more from around the Association..

  • One team picking in the lottery promised Dario Saric that they would draft him this year if he guaranteed he'd play in the NBA next year, but he said no, tweets Chad Ford of ESPN.com.  Earlier tonight we learned that the Croatian forward will formally withdraw from the draft tomorrow with an eye on the 2014 draft.
  • Eric Pincus of HoopsWorld wonders what the next move for the Clippers will be.  The Clippers want to be active on the open market, but it's difficult to project how they will fill out their roster with free agents until they’ve taken care of their own players, especially Chris Paul. 
  • This weekend's D-League tryouts are over, and Keith Schlosser of Ridiculous Upside rounds up the intriguing prospects. 
  • Before tonight's game, Heat big man Chris Andersen was asked about his thoughts on George Karl's dismissal from the Nuggets.  “It’s never a good feeling to get released or get fired, so I can imagine how he feels," the former Nugget said, tweets Chris Tomasson of FOX Sports Florida.
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Clippers/Celtics Updates: Sunday

June 16th, 2013 at 8:26am CST by Chuck Myron

There were a lot of moving parts involved in Saturday's dominant storyline, a proposed trade that would send Celtics mainstays Doc Rivers and Kevin Garnett to the Clippers. Marc Stein and Ramona Shelburne of ESPN.com, with an assist from Chris Broussard, as well as Broderick Turner of the Los Angeles Times rounded up the relevant details late last night. Based on their reports, here's what we know right now:

  • The Celtics are seeking Eric Bledsoe, DeAndre Jordan and at least one future first-round pick in return for Garnett and Rivers. They're also insisting the Clippers take on the contract of either Jason Terry or Courtney Lee.
  • The Clippers are reluctant to give up Bledsoe, in large measure because of his value for other potential swaps, perhaps a sign-and-trade for Dwight Howard. Still, a source tells Turner that a swap of Bledsoe and Blake Griffin for Howard won't happen.
  • An executive told Turner that the Clippers appear to be holding up the deal, while the Celtics want to hurry it along, given Rivers' desire to coach the Clips.
  • If the Clippers do the deal, they'd follow by pursuing Paul Pierce. The Celtics may waive Pierce by June 30th to prevent his $15.3MM contract, which is partially guaranteed for $5MM until that date, from becoming fully guaranteed.
  • Clippers owner Donald Sterling is willing to give Rivers a three-year deal worth about $6MM per year, or about $1MM less annually than what Rivers would make with the Celtics.
  • The Celtics are prepared to bring Rivers back as their coach if no deal is reached with the Clippers. Garnett, like Rivers, has yet to commit to playing next season, but the chance of him doing so would be significantly enhanced if Pierce is back with the Celtics as well.
  • If the trade doesn't happen by Tuesday or Wednesday, the Clippers will choose between Lionel Hollins and Brian Shaw for their next coach. Of the two, Hollins is the front-runner, but both are also in the mix for the Nuggets job.
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Odds & Ends: Clippers, Afflalo, Karl

June 15th, 2013 at 10:51pm CST by Spencer Lund

The Celtics–Clippers saga continues with Yahoo Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski saying that Eric Bledsoe had been a part of discussions between the two teams until Saturday morning (Twitter). The Boston Herald's Steve Bulpett mentioned earlier that Doc Rivers might feel uncomfortable returning to the Celtics after this flirtation with the Clippers, but Wojnarowski said within the Celtics it hasn't been acrimonious between team and Doc (Twitter).

ESPNLosAngeles.com's Ramona Shelburne thinks the Clippers should dare the Celtics to cut Paul Pierce (he's owed $15.3MM if he's not waived before June 30th), and see if Kevin Garnett and Rivers will really hold to their promise to only be moved from the Celtics as a tandem (Twitter). Shelburne goes on to cite an objective league source who proposed the Clippers keep DeAndre Jordan and Bledsoe, sign Pierce after he's waived, and trade Caron Butler and a pick for Garnett (Twitter).

Shelburne also says that the Clippers have been "shaking every tree" looking for a third star to complement Blake Griffin and Chris Paul if he re-signs this summer (Twitter). According to Shelburne, the Clippers have expressed interest in Danny Granger and Arron Afflalo already as a possible third threat on their roster.

Here are some more tidbits about the Clippers and Celtics as well as other teams around the league on this rumor-filled Saturday night with a huge game 5 in the NBA Finals tomorrow.

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Clippers Drop Trade Offer For Rivers

June 15th, 2013 at 8:40pm CST by Spencer Lund

8:40pm: Yahoo Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski writes that discussions between the Clippers and Celtics have stalled and the primary reason is Bledsoe. 

The Clippers are willing to part with Jordan and a first round pick for Garnett and the rights to Rivers, but have refused to include Bledsoe in the package, according to Wojnarowski's sources. Garnett will only waive the no-trade clause in his contract if Rivers joins him with the Clippers, the sources added.

Danny Ainge has requested Bledsoe and a second first-round pick for Garnett and Rivers' rights, but everyone involved believes Bledsoe's inclusion would get the deal done. 

Not only that, but sources tell Wojnarowski that Rivers has informed Clippers management they shouldn't give up Bledsoe so they can acquire him as coach, saying he'd like to coach him with the Clippers.

Rivers has yet to talk with Chris Paul about his plans for the summer and would need to do so, if he were to come west. It's believed that if Garnett and Rivers are traded to the Clippers that will lead Paul to sign with them in July.

It should also be noted that all sides involved in the trade discussions want to get a deal done soon, and don't want the discussions to linger much longer. 

Steve Bulpett of the Boston Herald confirms that the Celtics-Clippers deal appears dead for now and the only question is whether the trade discussions have made it too awkward for coach Rivers to return to the Celtics. Rivers has three years, at $7MM per, remaining on his contract. 

8:10pm: The Boston Herald's Steve Bulpett reports that sources have told him the Celtics-Clippers trade talks are "dead," and now the bigger question is whether Doc will feel awkward he expressed interest in coaching another team (Twitter links). 

7:42pm: Wojnarowski says discussions between the Clippers and Celtics have "stalled," and the question becomes how soon before one side–or both–bails (Twitter). 

Wojo adds that throughout the back-and-forth with the Clippers, the Celtics have insisted to Doc Rivers that if it doesn't go through, they want him back as coach (Twitter). 

7:34pm: Sources tell Yahoo Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski the Clippers–Celtics trade for Rivers and Garnett is "not looking good, but I wouldn't say (it's over) for sure" (Twitter).

Wojnarowski continues to reiterate the primary obstacle standing in the way of the deal: the Clippers are unwilling to part with Jordan and Bledsoe, and sources tell Yahoo Sports that Celtics GM Danny Ainge wants Bledsoe. (Twitter).

Arash Markazi of ESPNLosAngeles.com says that the Clippers were looking for a long-term asset for Bledsoe (Twitter). 

6:34pm: After flirting with the possibility of seizing Celtics coach, Doc Rivers, as well as Kevin Garnett, in a deal we've been following all day, it seems the Clippers will be moving on and will offer their head coaching position to either Brian Shaw or Lionel Hollins some time this week, according to the Los Angeles Times' Brad Turner (Twitter).

Rivers has been informed the Clippers won't accept the Celtics' offer, and he's prepared to stay with the Celtics moving forward (Twitter). Ramona Shelburne of ESPN.com adds that the Clippers were very resistant to parting with DeAndre Jordan and Eric Bledsoe in the effort to acquire Rivers and Garnett since Garnett is only under contract for two more years and the younger Bledsoe is more valuable (Twitter).

Shelburne adds that the Clippers felt strong about the Hollins and Shaw coaching options and weren't ready to "mortgage the farm" for Doc (Twitter).

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Latest On Clippers, Celtics Blockbuster Talks

June 15th, 2013 at 4:40pm CST by Chuck Myron

4:40pm: The Clippers initially offered Bledsoe and Caron Butler to the Celtics, but the Celtics want Jordan and Bledsoe, tweets Shelburne, who adds that L.A. is trying to keep one of the two.

4:37pm: A source tells Baxter Holmes of the Boston Globe that he "guarantees" Paul will re-sign with the Clippers if Rivers comes to coach the team. Part of the Clippers' unwillingness to include Bledsoe in the deal has been concern over whether Paul, a free agent this summer, would be back, Holmes writes. Meanwhile, the Celtics have shifted their focus from trying to keep Rivers to working on a deal that sends him to the Clips, according to Holmes. 

4:16pm: The Clippers would prefer to acquire both Garnett and Pierce if they can get Rivers, as Shelburne and Marc Stein write for ESPN.com. The Clippers aren't looking to relinquish Blake Griffin in these trade talks, preferring to strengthen their team around Paul and Griffin, according to the report. Shelburne also tweets that the Celtics are primarily focused on acquiring Jordan. If Garnett waives his no-trade clause to head to the Clippers, he'll forfeit about $1.17MM because of higher state taxes in California, according to noted sports accountant Robert Raiola (Twitter link; hat tip to Ryan Wolstat of the Toronto Sun).

3:50pm: Garnett and Rivers are seen as a package deal, with each unwilling to go to the Clippers unless the other joins him, a source tells Shelburne, who hears that Paul Pierce might not be a part of the trade talks for now (Twitter links). Since the Clippers could sign Pierce as a free agent if the Celtics decide to waive him by June 30th, when the guarantee on his contract for next season jumps from $5MM to $15MM+, he's been in and out of trade discussions, Shelburne reports (Twitter links). The Clippers like Rivers, but they remain determined not to "mortgage the farm" in terms of compensation for Rivers, since Lionel Hollins was so impressive in his interview with the team yesterday, Shelburne also tweets. Ultimately, if a deal between the Clips and Celtics is to come together, it will happen by the middle of next week at the latest, according to Shelburne (Twitter link).

3:34pm: The Celtics and Clippers are discussing a deal that would send DeAndre Jordan and two first-round picks to Boston for Kevin Garnett and the right to hire Rivers as coach, writes Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports. Presumably, the picks and the rights to Rivers would be structured as one deal, while the players would technically be involved in a separate transaction, since a coach can't be traded for current players under NBA rules. Clippers owner Donald Sterling is prepared to pay Rivers about $7MM annually, which is what he's making with the Celtics, according to Wojnarowski.

The hang-up in the deal continues to be Celtics GM Danny Ainge's insistence that Eric Bledsoe be a part of the swap, Wojnarowski adds. While the Clippers appear unwilling to make that happen, Bledsoe would be all right with going to Boston, despite the presence of fellow point guard Rajon Rondo, a source tells Ramona Shelburne of ESPNLosAngeles.com (Twitter link).

Rivers could be speaking with soon-to-be free agent Chris Paul today to get his assurance that he'd re-sign with the Clippers as long as Garnett and Rivers join him in L.A., as Wojnarowski also reports. Both Rivers and the Celtics want closure on the process, so there's pressure to complete the deal within two days. 

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Celts, Clips Build Momentum For Rivers, KG Deal

June 15th, 2013 at 3:08pm CST by Chuck Myron

3:19pm: The final hurdle for a deal involving Garnett and Rivers is Ainge's desire for Bledsoe to be a part of the trade, Wojnarowski hears (Twitter link).

3:08pm: If the Clippers can work out a deal to acquire Rivers, Garnett would waive his no-trade clause to join the Clippers as well, tweets Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports.

3:03pm: The Celtics and Clippers have begun discussing players who would be exchanged if the Celtics were to allow Doc Rivers to coach in L.A., reports Steve Bulpett of the Boston Herald. Both sides are seeking common ground, though many moving parts remain. Technically, the Clippers could only send cash and draft picks in return for Rivers, but a side deal involving current players could be worked out.

Ainge appears to be using Rivers as leverage to get the Clippers to agree to a deal involving players that they wouldn't otherwise consider, according to Bulpett. Several in the Clippers front office were wary of a trade-deadline proposal that would have sent Kevin Garnett to the Clips in exchange for Eric Bledsoe and DeAndre Jordan. Vinny Del Negro, who's no longer with the Clippers, was one of the advocates for the deal, but L.A.'s management was never really interested, Bulpett writes.

The Celtics would prefer to keep Rivers, who still has three years and $21MM left on his deal, but now that they know he's wary of staying with them for the long haul, they're considering their options. Still, Rivers remains sentimental about the C's, and hopes a win-win can happen for both teams should a deal go down. A source tells Bulpett that if the Celtics and Clippers can't work anything out, Rivers would be happy to return to Boston's bench. Another of Bulpett's sources is uncertain of Rivers' regard for the Celtics, and believes he's merely trying to massage the perception of his exit.

We heard earlier today that Rivers, Garnett and Paul Pierce would like to stay together as Clippers if they can't do so as Celtics. Pierce could wind up with the Clippers as part of a trade, or they could sign him if the Celtics release him by June 30th, since his $15MM+ salary for next season is only guaranteed for $5MM until that date. 

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Eastern Rumors: Hawks, Dwight, Bobcats, Celtics

June 15th, 2013 at 1:40pm CST by Chuck Myron

Since 2007, the only teams to win the Eastern Conference have been the Celtics, the Magic, and whatever team LeBron James has been on. The Magic probably won't be getting back to the Finals anytime soon, and the core of those Celtics teams could soon disappear. Doc Rivers, Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett may all wind up with the Clippers, removing one of LeBron's most prominent conference rivals. We've got more on the Celtics saga and other news from the East:

  • The Hawks hired Darvin Ham as an assistant coach, the team announced, prompting ESPN's Chris Broussard to speculate that the move was done in part to appeal to Dwight Howard (Twitter link). Ham has been an assistant with the Lakers the past two years, and worked with Howard this year. The Bobcats also had interest in Ham, as Dave McMenamin of ESPNLosAngeles.com notes via Twitter.
  • Celtics GM Danny Ainge still believes coach Doc Rivers will return for next season, according to Mark Murphy of the Boston Herald, who hears from an agent who figures that Rivers won't coach any team next season.
  • The Celtics will have to rebuild sooner or later, Shaun Powell of Sports on Earth argues. Powell says that now appears to best time to do so, and he lays out a plan that involves waiving Pierce, letting Rivers coach the Clippers, and dangling Garnett in trade offers.
  • Vladimir Radmanovic didn't see much playing time on his one-year deal with the Bulls this past season, but his agent, Alexander Raskovic, says the 32-year-old still intends to play for an NBA team next season (Twitter link).
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Doc, KG, Pierce Want Clips If They Can’t Stay Celts

June 15th, 2013 at 11:39am CST by Zachary Links

There's a rising belief around the NBA that coach Doc Rivers, Kevin Garnett, and Paul Pierce all want to carry on as a trio with the Clippers if they can't roll on in Boston, according to Marc Stein of ESPN.com (on Twitter).  Stein sees it as a very possible scenario with a cash/draft pick driven deal for Rivers and separate trades for KG and Pierce without surrendering Blake Griffin (link).

That's not to say that there aren't stumbling blocks for the Clippers to clear before bringing the trio to Los Angeles.  Rivers has an unusually strong non-compete clause in his contract that prohibits him from coaching elsewhere for the duration of the deal, which takes him through 2016.  There's also a lot of salary that would have to go from L.A. to Boston to accomodate a deal with both Pierce and Garnett.  The club could revisit talks from this past trade deadline that would have sent the duo to the Clippers in a package involving Eric Bledsoe and DeAndre Jordan.

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Clause In Rivers’ Deal Could Hinder Clips’ Pursuit

June 14th, 2013 at 7:07pm CST by Chuck Myron

An unusually strong non-compete clause in Doc Rivers' contract with the Celtics could prove a further stumbling block should Rivers want to coach the Clippers or any other team next season, reports Ken Berger of CBSSports.com. The clause states that Rivers may not coach a team other than the Celtics for the duration of the deal, which runs through 2016. That may not completely scuttle any plans he had of moving on to the Clippers or elsewhere, Berger writes, but it could give Celtics GM Danny Ainge additional leverage to extract a heavy price from another team in return for allowing him to coach there.

Most NBA coaching contracts include language outlining what were to happen if the coach left for another team while under contract, but in the Celtics' pact with Rivers, the language is part of a separate clause. The net result could be more psychological than legal, according to Berger, though it appears Ainge is already setting a high price for the Clippers.

Rivers, who may not be willing to coach a rebuilding team in Boston, has been on the Clippers' radar for a while, and Berger hears the team's executives met several weeks ago to discuss their plan of action should Rivers become available. For now, the Clippers are focused on Lionel Hollins, with whom the team just finished a two-day interview, as well as Byron Scott and Brian Shaw.

The Celtics are allowed to ask for draft picks and cash in return for Rivers, but any deal involving players currently on either team's roster would have to be worked out as a separate transaction. Ultimately, the idea of Rivers coaching the Clippers next season appears "far-fetched," according to execs who spoke to Broderick Turner of the Los Angeles Times. 

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Latest On Doc Rivers, Clippers

June 14th, 2013 at 12:33pm CST by Luke Adams

With rumors continuing to swirl about Doc Rivers' future, Broderick Turner of the Los Angeles Times spoke to several NBA executives about the saga and about reports of mutual interest between Rivers and the Clippers. Here are the highlights from Turner's piece:

  • Most of the executives who spoke to Turner agreed that the possibility of Rivers coaching the Clippers next season is "far-fetched." Asked if he could see Rivers joining the Clippers, one executive replied: "I don’t think so. It is very complicated. They [the Celtics] have a guy under contract. Maybe they’d let him out if this happened or that happened. It’s all very speculative."
  • If the Celtics were to let Rivers explore the Clippers' job, GM Danny Ainge would want significant compensation, according to multiple executives. Two execs suggested Ainge would ask for Eric Bledsoe, DeAndre Jordan, and Caron Butler's expiring contract, along with two first-round picks, in exchange for Kevin Garnett, Courtney Lee, Jason Terry, and Rivers. That list of names seems somewhat speculative to me, but it provides an idea of how high Ainge might aim.
  • Even if Rivers were to part ways with the Celtics, he'd still have to negotiate a new contract with Donald Sterling and the Clippers, who likely wouldn't come close to matching the $7MM annual salary Rivers is earning in Boston.
  • Earlier today, we passed along a report indicating that former Clippers coach Vinny Del Negro could interest the Celtics if they lose Rivers.
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