I don't know about anyone else, but I'm getting a bit burned out on these on again, off again, on again talks between the Celtics and the Clippers. First they were deep in discussions. The Clippers call off the talks because they won't...
I don't know about anyone else, but I'm getting a bit burned out on these on again, off again, on again talks between the Celtics and the Clippers. First they were deep in discussions. The Clippers call off the talks because they won't include Bledsoe. Danny gives in and is willing to deal without Bledsoe. The Clippers call off talks because they don't want to include 2 draft picks. Doc and Danny were going to talk today and Doc was reportedly going to make his first statement since this all started. Brian Shaw was back in LA for a second interview with the Clippers. It was all over and we were moving on, finally. Not so fast!!
It seems that Chris Paul really wants to play for Doc. And with a nudge
by Chris Paul, the Clippers have come back to the table. From Adrian Wojnarowski:
With a full understanding that free agent Chris Paul wants this deal completed, the Los Angeles Clippers re-engaged the Boston Celtics on the Kevin Garnett-Doc Rivers negotiations on Wednesday afternoon, league sources told Yahoo! Sports.
The Clippers have negotiated a five-year, $35 million deal with Rivers that could be worth as much as $8 million annually with incentives, sources said. Garnett will waive his no-trade clause to be a part of the deal. The Clippers would have to pay a $3.5 million trade kicker on Jordan's contract.
But, once again, it's not about the money. It's about Danny wanting 2 draft picks and the Clippers wanting to part with no more than one. Once again, according to Marc Stein, The Celtics are proposing DeAndre Jordan for KG & two first-rounders for Doc Rivers' coaching rights. Also, according to Stein, the deal could be done as soon as tonight.
The fact that Chris Paul has expressed his desire for this deal to get done hopefully will give the Celtics some leverage. Danny proved by walking away and expressing his desire to continue with Doc as coach of the Celtics that the Celtics have nothing to lose if the deal doesn't go through. And if CP3 wants the deal done, that puts the Clippers in a slight bind. Do they give up what they consider to be too much or do they risk losing their prize point guard?
Gary Washburn adds that if the Celtics look for a new coach, they are likely to look for a young coach like Brian Shaw or even Miami assistant, David Fizdale. Shaw has been my pick all along. He's a former Celtic. He's paid his dues as an assistant in good organizations. And, the Pacers' young players have credited him with helping their development. If the Celtics are rebuilding, they will need a coach who can develop young players.
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