The Los Angeles Clippers and Boston Celtics have renewed talks to send Doc Rivers to L.A, according to ESPN.com citing sources familiar with the deal.
Originally, the proposed trade was to send Rivers, along with future Hall of Famer Kevin Garnett, to L.A. for young center DeAndre Jordan and young stud point guard Eric Bledsoe. However, the deal got hung up on the thought of sending Bledsoe to Boston.
The Clippers were adamant that they were not giving Bledsoe to the Celtics—possibly because they wanted to keep arguably the best and brightest back-up point guard in the NBA or because they want to use him for a deal later down the road.
According to the sources, the deal has been slightly adjusted for the Clippers to take on the contracts of either Courtney Lee or Jason Terry.
Sources say if the Clippers take on these contracts, the Celtics might concede to the Clippers firm grip on Bledsoe.
It was previously reported that the Clippers most likely want to hold onto Bledsoe in order to make a trade with the Los Angeles Lakers. The Clips would allegedly send star forward Blake Griffin and Bledsoe to the Lakers for center Dwight Howard. However, there are growing reports that the Lakers are in no way looking to trade Howard to anyone.
Rivers could be a good fit for the Clippers. He already has one NBA championship under his belt and is most likely the most coveted available coach. Also, he has experience coaching a top-tier point guard in Rajon Rondo, a position the Clippers arguably have the version of in Chris Paul.
Sources say if Rivers doesn’t come to the Clippers, the next likely choice is former Memphis Grizzlies coach Lionel Hollins.
