IFWT Rivers x Pierce x Garnett

There’s been reports that Doc Rivers and the LA Clippers have mutual interest but now there’s speculation that Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce could be taking the trip with him.  Read more after the jump.

Shay Marie

There’s no doubt that Rivers, Garnett and Pierce have formed an unbreakable bound while together in Boston so it’s no surprise that they would want to join him in LA.  Garnett and Pierce are also up there in age and don’t want to go through the rebuilding process with the Celtics.

While it was initially assumed that any trade like that would involve Blake Griffin, ESPN’s Marc Stein said it would be possible for the Clippers to land all three without giving up Blake Griffin. They would have to send cash and draft considerations for Rivers.

 Of course, money would be an issue for both teams. Pierce’s $15 million contract with the Celtics for next year is not fully guaranteed, but Boston would have to pay him $5 million if they released him. There has been a lot of talk about Garnett retiring, but I’m sure he could be persuaded to play alongside Pierce, Griffin and Chris Paul while keeping his favorite coach. Some restructuring of deals would have to take place and the Clippers would have to compensate the Celtics quite handsomely, but it’s not totally out of the question.

UPDATE: 

According to Yahoo Sports the Boston Celtics are deep in discussions with the Los Angeles Clippers on a blockbuster deal to send coach Doc Rivers and Kevin Garnett to Los Angeles.  The final hurdle is getting the Clippers to add guard Eric Bledsoe to the deal.

Boston and Los Angeles are discussing a package that will send DeAndre Jordan and two first-round picks to the Celtics for Garnett and the right to hire Rivers as coach, sources said.

Garnett will waive his no-trade clause to go to the Clippers, where he’ll be reunited with Rivers. Celtics assistant Ty Lue also will likely join them in Los Angeles, sources told Yahoo! Sports.

Clippers owner Donald Sterling is prepared to pay Rivers in the neighborhood of the $7 million annual salary he currently holds with the Celtics, front office sources said. Rivers has three years and $21 million left on his Boston deal.

If a deal is agreed upon, Rivers will likely speak to Chris Paul immediately on his willingness to re-signing with Los Angeles, sources said.