Despite talks between the Clippers and Celtics hitting an impasse over the weekend, it appears that talks to send Rivers and Kevin Garnett to Los Angeles in a multi-layered package deal are not totally dead after all. Now that it is clear the Clippers will not include point guard Eric Bledsoe in the deal — even using him in trade discussions with the Magic and Pacers — it looks like Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge may bend on demanding Bledsoe be part of the Celtics’ haul.
The Celtics and Clippers are “discussing possible compromises” to including Bledsoe, Yahoo! Sports reports, and are hopeful of reaching an agreement Monday.
In the widely reported deal, the Clippers would send DeAndre Jordan and a first-round pick to Boston for Kevin Garnett, who would waive his no-trade clause. The Clippers would then send at least one future first-round pick to Boston for the rights to Rivers, who would sign a new multi-year deal with the Clips. Ainge had been insisting that Bledsoe also be included.
Whatever happens, the NBA has to be happy things are moving quickly. The longer this drags on, the more it risks taking away from an entertaining NBA Finals that the league no doubt wants its fans to watch instead of wondering where one of its best coaches and all-time great players will be playing next year. We began the day believing Rivers would still be coaching the Celtics next season. Now we are convinced he won’t be.
Related articles
- Report: Celtics, Clippers ‘Deep’ in Talks to Send Kevin Garnett, Doc Rivers to Los Angeles (nesn.com)
- Report: Doc Rivers Could Return to Broadcasting After Clippers Deal Falls Through (nesn.com)
- Report: Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, Doc Rivers to Clippers for Blake Griffin, Eric Bledsoe Deal Being ‘Talked About’ (nesn.com)
