[TomShoeParticipant]

It begins. The era of the Superteam.

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/9415256/los-angeles-clippers-agree-principle-doc-rivers-deal-sources

After days of wrangling, negotiating and posturing, the Los Angeles Clippers have agreed in principle to a deal with the Celtics for Glenn “Doc” Rivers, pending league approval, according to sources.

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.

More on the Celtics

Keep on top of the Green throughout the offseason with ESPNBoston.com’s Chris Forsberg. Blog

• Send Chris a question

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.

More on the Clippers

For more news, notes and analysis of the L.A. Clippers, check out the Clippers Report. Blog

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.

What do you guys think about this news? Personally, it makes me nervous about the future of the NBA, as it might only about building super-teams now. Sound off in the comments.

[FutureNBAGMParticipant]

Let the rebuilding begin.

[FutureNBAGMParticipant]

Let the rebuilding begin.

[RUDEBOY_Participant]

I’m a huge basketball junkie and i love the idea of having more then 1 all star caliber player on teams…But Super Teams aren’t anything new..Teams in the past had several all star caliber players, thanks to the genius moves of guys like front office people like West and Auerbach…

Today’s player’s have so many other venues to make much more money outside of their nba contracts..That they’ll be willing to take less money to win a ring….

But i’m excited for this trade,becuz hopefully it means the talk of trading Blake Griffin for Dwight has some truth to it…

[RUDEBOY_Participant]

I’m a huge basketball junkie and i love the idea of having more then 1 all star caliber player on teams…But Super Teams aren’t anything new..Teams in the past had several all star caliber players, thanks to the genius moves of guys like front office people like West and Auerbach…

Today’s player’s have so many other venues to make much more money outside of their nba contracts..That they’ll be willing to take less money to win a ring….

But i’m excited for this trade,becuz hopefully it means the talk of trading Blake Griffin for Dwight has some truth to it…

[XYRYXParticipant]

Oh wow! Thought the whole discussions to this deal have fallen apart but really seems like they made it happen. Still kind of confused what this really means to Boston. If Doc really didn’t want to coach a rebuilding team the $ 7 mil is a good saving BUT there is no way KG will play for the Celtics again now! I really hope Pierce won’t get shiped for a pick or two because he deserves to retire as a Celtic and I don’t think he is ready to call it a career right now.

I really feel sorry for the Celltics fans!

Donald Sterling on the other hand goes all in now. A good sign for the franchise that he finally isn’t afraid to spend big money anymore. I wouldn’t be surprised if the Clippers try to trade for Dwight now.

I think the offseason started right now and can’t wait to see what happens next! Btw – when can trades be officially made – draft day or right now???

[XYRYXParticipant]

Oh wow! Thought the whole discussions to this deal have fallen apart but really seems like they made it happen. Still kind of confused what this really means to Boston. If Doc really didn’t want to coach a rebuilding team the $ 7 mil is a good saving BUT there is no way KG will play for the Celtics again now! I really hope Pierce won’t get shiped for a pick or two because he deserves to retire as a Celtic and I don’t think he is ready to call it a career right now.

I really feel sorry for the Celltics fans!

Donald Sterling on the other hand goes all in now. A good sign for the franchise that he finally isn’t afraid to spend big money anymore. I wouldn’t be surprised if the Clippers try to trade for Dwight now.

I think the offseason started right now and can’t wait to see what happens next! Btw – when can trades be officially made – draft day or right now???

[RUDEBOY_Participant]

The NBA Ruled last week that a coach’s contract couldn’t be part of any player deals..Happy to see they got a deal done..Now im waiting for the Dwight for Blake trade

[RUDEBOY_Participant]

The NBA Ruled last week that a coach’s contract couldn’t be part of any player deals..Happy to see they got a deal done..Now im waiting for the Dwight for Blake trade

[220Participant]

I’m excited for the Clippers getting Doc Rivers should make a big difference for their players and overall success. I wonder if the Kevin Garnett for DeAndre Jordan deal will still happen later on. I wonder how long a wait time will be necessary for the league office to consider it a separate deal from the Clippers getting Doc.

At this point I truly doubt KG and Pierce will be in Celtics uniforms ever again. If the Celtics really want to trade Pierce and not buy him out they should take the rumored deal with Cleveland for the second round picks. I have a hard time imagining with Pierce’s contract that many teams will want to trade for him.

[220Participant]

I’m excited for the Clippers getting Doc Rivers should make a big difference for their players and overall success. I wonder if the Kevin Garnett for DeAndre Jordan deal will still happen later on. I wonder how long a wait time will be necessary for the league office to consider it a separate deal from the Clippers getting Doc.

At this point I truly doubt KG and Pierce will be in Celtics uniforms ever again. If the Celtics really want to trade Pierce and not buy him out they should take the rumored deal with Cleveland for the second round picks. I have a hard time imagining with Pierce’s contract that many teams will want to trade for him.

[Author]

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