Boston, MA – The Celtics and Clippers have reportedly broken off talks on a proposed trade that would have sent head coach Doc Rivers and veteran Kevin Garnett to Los Angeles.
According to the Boston Globe, Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge told the paper the proposed deal is "dead."
The Los Angeles Times and Boston Globe each reported that the issue was Ainge's insistence on the Celtics receiving a pair of first-round draft picks along with center DeAndre Jordan.
Los Angeles is trying to fill the coaching vacancy created when Vinny Del Negro was not offered a new contract after three seasons. The Times indicated that the Clippers will now turn their attention toward Brian Shaw, Byron Scott and Lionel Hollins.
The Celtics apparently first wanted point guard Eric Bledsoe as part of the package, rather than a pair of first-round picks.
Rivers, who has served as Boston's head coach since 2004 and led the storied franchise to the 2008 NBA title, has been non-committal about his future with the organization due to the Celtics' aging roster and uncertainty about the status of veteran stars Garnett and Paul Pierce.
The 37-year-old Garnett is believed to be contemplating retirement, while there has been speculation that the Celtics may attempt to either trade Pierce or buy out the remaining year on his contract.
If Rivers decides to leave Boston, there is a clause in the contract extension he signed in 2011 that states he can't coach anywhere else for three years unless the Celtics give their permission.
The Globe also said Ainge wants Rivers to return to the Celtics' bench.
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