Report: Clippers just need owner’s approval to finalize Garnett, Rivers trade Not only is the Clippers/Celtics trade back from the dead (don’t say I didn’t warn you) it looks like it could come together Thursday. If Clippers owner Donald Sterling signs off on it this deal could come together Thursday reports Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports. After superstar Chris Paul injected his influence to accelerate talks, the Los Angeles Clippers are searching for ownership approval to complete a blockbuster deal to bring Boston Celtics coach Doc Rivers and forward Kevin Garnett to L.A., league sources told Yahoo! Sports. Clippers management planned to huddle with owner Donald Sterling on Wednesday night in Los Angeles to get his approval and move on Thursday to finalize an agreement with the Celtics, sources said. Sterling met with Clippers coaching candidate Brian Shaw, an Indiana Pacers assistant coach, on Wednesday night. The deal would bring Kevin Garnett and the right to sign coach Doc Rivers to the Clippers in exchange for DeAndre Jordan and two first round picks, according to multiple reports. The picks are essentially compensation for Rivers, who would walk away from the three remaining years on his Celtics contract to sign a five-year, $35 million deal with the Clippers (technically coaches cannot be traded so this is the workaround). Paul Pierce would not be part of this deal, however after the KG and Rivers moves the Celtics would buy Pierce out of his contract (the team can buy out the final year and $15 million of his deal for just $5 million before July 1). After that Pierce would be a free agent expected to sign with the Clippers. You can say with this move Chris Paul is a lock to re-sign with the Clippers, but he was already going to do that. That said, with this he’s gotten what he wants — veteran roster ready to compete to be playing next June. Rivers met with Celtics GM Danny Ainge on Wednesday and in the conversation Rivers reportedly emphasized his desire to coach a contender, not stick around through a rebuilding process. Even if the Celtics brought Garnett, Pierce and Rivers back they are not contenders in the East. If this goes down, the Celtics move on to a complete rebuilding process, likely around Rajon Rondo, but who knows how far they strip it down. With those three the Clippers instantly get better but much older. Garnett would bring stability to a Clippers defense that needs it, Rivers a more polished hand at the helm. The Clippers would be title contenders next season (if they can stay healthy) but with a one year, two tops window. Then things would need to be rebuilt. Donald Sterling wasn’t the kind of owner who a few years back would have paid $7 million a year for a coach or signed off on a deal like this. But the man clearly is willing to spend a little to win and with his nod the Clippers will be in the mix for it all next season.
Posted on: Thu, 20 Jun 2013 15:49:07 +0000