Celtics coach Doc Rivers might go from coaching Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett in Boston to coaching Chris Paul and Blake Griffin in Los Angeles. Rivers and the Los Angeles Clippers have a mutual interest in each other, ESPN reports.
Speculation has grown over the week that Rivers might be done in Boston. A source on Wednesday told ESPN that Rivers "feels it may be time for a change." That change could bring Rivers to L.A.
"Sources told ESPN.com on Thursday that Rivers is highly intrigued by the idea of coaching the Clippers..." ESPN's Marc Stein and Ramona Shelburne wrote. "Sources say the Clippers, meanwhile, would immediately vault Rivers to the top of their list if he became available as they continue a coaching search that, to this point, has focused on Brian Shaw, Byron Scott and Lionel Hollins."
Talk of Garnett and Pierce leaving Boston, be it retirement or a buyout, have increased the speculation of Rivers retiring from the Celtics. The Boston Globe reported Rivers is "seriously considering stepping down," as it's thought he doesn't want to stay for what'd essentially be a new Celtics team without its core of Garnett and Pierce.
Both Garnett and Pierce, ironically, were linked to trade talks in February with the Clippers. As Celtics management reportedly considers buying out Pierce's contract, it's possible the 35-year-old forward could wind up with the Clippers - and even more likely if Rivers is there. Garnett could retire, be released or traded.
If Rivers joined the Clippers, it'd be win-win for both. Rivers would inherit All-Stars Chris Paul and Blake Griffin. The Clips have also stated their intention of being "very aggressive" this offseason to build a strong cast around their two All-stars.
River's signing would be huge for the Clippers organization, too. Paul becomes a free agent on July 1 and hasn't committed to signing a new contract with Los Angeles. Bringing in a bona fide, championship-winning coach with a proven record is a huge boost for the Clips' pitch to Paul. A top-five NBA coach, Griffin and the vow to aggressively build a championship-caliber team could be plenty to convince Paul to stay.
The Clippers haven't formally requested permission to interview Rivers, who has three years left on his contract with Boston. The biggest obstacle to Rivers coaching in Los Angeles is the price the Celtics would demand. While the NBA draft is around the corner, it's uncertain what the Clips would be willing to part with.
