Boston Celtics coach Doc Rivers and veteran Kevin Garnett won't be relocating to Los Angeles. The L.A. Clippers have ended negotiations with the Celtics, USA Today reports.
Talks between the Celtics and Clippers, which would've sent Rivers and Garnett to the Clippers in exchange for two first-round draft picks and center DeAndre Jordan, are finished. The Clippers say they are moving forward with their coaching search and will no longer pursue a deal with Boston, according to USA Today's source.
Celtics president Danny Ainge confirmed the deal fell through.
"Danny Ainge confirms to the @BostonGlobe that the proposed Clippers-Celtics deal is, in fact, dead," Globe-writer Baxter Holmes tweeted Tuesday morning.
"...A person with knowledge of the deal said only one (first-round draft) pick was made available to the Celtics," Sam Amick of USA Today wrote. By the time the talks ended mid-day Tuesday, the Celtics were unclear of the specific sticking points in the negotiations and were simply told the Clippers no longer wanted to do any of the many deals that had been discussed."
It's unclear what the exact point of contention was. The Clippers didn't want to offer guard Eric Bledsoe, and the Celtics were reportedly OK with that. The number of draft picks could have been a sticking point. River's contract, which has three years and $21 million remaining on it, also could have been a reason.
The Clips are scheduled to interview former Cleveland Cavaliers coach Byron Scott on Tuesday and Indiana Pacers assistant Brian Shaw on Wednesday. Former Memphis Grizzlies coach Lionel Hollins is also a candidate for the spot.
Rivers' future in Boston is still unclear. While USA Today reports Rivers will be accepted back without any animosity, it's uncertain how big of a wedge, if any, the coach drove between himself, the Celtics management and the fans.
Even if he is accepted back with open arms, there's the chance Rivers will simply choose to retire if he faces having to rebuild the team without Paul Pierce and Garnett.
