Sources confirmed on Sunday that the Clippers will sign Rivers to a three-year, $21 million contract. They will send a first-round pick as compensation for the Boston Celtics, who have agreed to release the coach from the three years, $21 million he has remaining on his deal with the club.

Contrary to previous reports, according to league and team sources, the Celtics have been complicit all along in assisting Rivers make the switch from Boston to Los Angeles.

Although Danny Ainge, the Celtics' director of basketball operations, was initially irked that Rivers was lukewarm about returning to Boston, where a rebuilding process will soon be underway, team sources said he recognized the best way to accumulate first-round draft picks, which he covets, would be to relinquish his two most valued assets -- Rivers and Kevin Garnett. Since then, he and Rivers have been working side by side to secure a deal that is best for both parties, sources said.

Team sources confirmed Ainge has also been trying to secure a first-round pick for veteran Paul Pierce, who can be bought out by June 30 for $5 million. The Celtics have been unsuccessful thus far, leaving open the possibility they keep Pierce and his $15.3 million contract on their books, and attempt to deal him again at the trade deadline next winter, when teams historically look for veteran help and are willing to overpay.

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Celtics ownership, which blanched at the thought of paying a coach $7 million a season for a team that will not be in contention for a division title, never mind an NBA title, is also on board with Rivers' departure, sources said.

League and teams sources also confirmed that for now, any deal involving Garnett and the Clippers is on hold in light of commissioner David Stern's objections to the appearance that the KG deal (for DeAndre Jordan) and Rivers were related.

Team sources also indicated that Rivers is frustrated with the perception that he was the driving force behind the push to go to the Clippers, or that he was unwilling to coach the Celtics if Pierce and Garnett were not going to be on the roster.

"Doc never said any such thing," a source close to the coach said. "He just wasn't sure if he could rev himself up for years of rebuilding. He never issued any ultimatums about anyone."

The Celtics have a news conference scheduled for noon on Monday, where, sources said, Rivers is expected to explain his decision to leave Boston after nine seasons.

Yahoo! Sports and The Boston Globe earlier reported the teams renewed talks after hitting an impasse on Friday.

25th pick is worth keeping Chris Paul I suppose.

Lets see if Chris Paul gets hated on for costing the Clippers an asset.

CrushAlot wrote:

AnubisADL wrote:Dam I bet they trading the 25th pick this year.

25th pick is worse keeping Chris Paul I suppose.

Lets see if Chris Paul gets hated on for costing the Clippers an asset.

And getting a coach fired.

Chris doesn't get involved in those kind of decisions.

AnubisADL wrote:Holy **** it was an unprotected 2015 first round pick they sent.

I can see this deal turning out badly if anyone gets injured that year.

it's very possible too if they give up some more players and picks for Garnett & Pierce. Those two are on their last legs and maybe done after next year.

The NBA is gonna have a hard time trying to C-block a trade sending K.G. to Clippers. It was already discussed last year separate of any Doc discussion.

So here's what I see. I see K.G. being involved in a trade where he gets released and he signs with the Clippers or he's later spun off there from a 3 teamer.

Stern and the NBA look like complete fools doing this.

And if this is such an eye sore for Stern then he should C-Block Vinny being hired by the Celtics as his name was thrown into the mix when discussions took place. I bet he won't

Oh and The Celtics can still buy out Pierce so he can land in L.A.....lol @ Stern.

As I said Clippers were on the CP3 clock...NUFF CED!

VCoug wrote:

Vmart wrote:A coach can get you a first round pick unprotected. NBA is a big joke.

The Buccaneers traded two 1st rounders and two 2nd rounders to the Raiders for Jon Gruden.

yellowboy90 wrote:so does this mean the prediction that Boston will be better next year are wrong now? You just never know what the future will bring.

Definitely wrong. Boston's blowing it up and going to rebuild so they'll suck for awhile.