After a disappointing first round exit, the Los Angeles Clippers are looking to reload with some old men seasoned vets. They all just happen to come from Boston: Doc Rivers, Kevin Garnett, and Paul Pierce.
The Clippers have been looking for Vinny Del Negro's replacement, and earlier this week it was reported that Rivers and the franchise were mutually interested in an agreement. Of course, the Celtics were doing their best to keep the coach as they rejected several of Los Angeles' attempts to reach Rivers after Boston got booted by New York. Boston is now willing to let Doc out of the three years and $21 million remaining in his contract for undetermined, but probably pretty high compensation demands.
Rivers acquisition would also slightly be for the best for Boston as the two sides have reportedly been at odds over the future of the Celtics. According to ESPN, Doc wanted to convince president Danny Ainge "not to blow up the roster and launch a full-fledged rebuilding project around point guard Rajon Rondo to keep the core of the team together."
Los Angeles is also preparing a trade centered around guard Eric Bledsoe, DeAndre "R.I.P Brandon Knight" Jordan, and Caron Butler for Garnett and Pierce. Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports reported that the only factor that's keeping Boston and Los Angeles from closing a deal is the latter's willingness to include Bledsoe in the offer.
Will we see Pierce out of a Boston uniform for the first time in his 15-year career? Will a Kevin Garnett-centered trade lead to another ring? We'll see as this develops.
UPDATE: The Clippers are willing to give up cash and multiple draft picks for Doc Rivers, and DeAndre Jordan for Kevin Garnett. Los Angeles are saving Eric Bledsoe in hopes of a sign-and-trade pitch for the Lakers' Dwight Howard or a trade for the Magic's Arron Afflalo. Talk about being aggressive.
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[via ESPN]
