The Boston Celtics' trade of Doc Rivers and Kevin Garnett to the Los Angeles Clippers needs only ownership approval to be completed. The Clippers resumed the trade talks, which had died on Tuesday, at the insistence of soon-to-be free agent Chris Paul, Yahoo! Sports reports.
The trade hinges on Clippers owner Donald Sterling. If Sterling approves the trade, Boston will send Rivers and Garnett to Los Angeles in exchange for Clips center DeAndre Jordan and two first-round draft picks. Because coaches can't be traded, the draft picks are compensation for Boston releasing Rivers from the remaining three-years on his contract.
Los Angeles and Rivers reportedly negotiated a five-year, $35 million deal and Garnett plans to waive the no-trade clause in his contract to make the deal happen. All that remains is Sterling to approve it.
The deal received a shot of life at Paul's insistence. The impending free agent "injected his influence to accelerate talks." Despite Clippers management not asking Paul for a firm commitment to re-sign upon the deal's completion, they believe the acquisition of Rivers and Garnett will keep him in Los Angeles.
"Doc is taking the job to coach Chris Paul," a league source told Yahoo! Sports on Wednesday. "This isn't happening if Chris planned to leave."
