Doc Rivers isn’t sure if he will return as the head coach of the Boston Celtics. There’s been reports of him “needing a change” and having “mutual interest with the Los Angeles Clippers”. Well should Rivers leave there’s a chance the Clippers ousted coach Vinny Del Negro could end up in Boston completing the coach swap. Read more after the jump.
via Mark Murphy of the Boston Herald:
“Two league sources with direct knowledge of the situation confirmed yesterday that if Rivers does indeed leave, former Clippers coach Vinnie Del Negro will receive serious consideration as his replacement.”
According to Murphy, Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge is “an admirer of Del Negro and his up-tempo philosophy.”
Rivers reportedly doesn’t want go through another rebuild and Ainge may take that course this summer. If Rivers leaves he’ll forfeit a guaranteed $21 million on the table, however he will get most of that back should he move over to the Clippers. Rivers and Ainge may not come together on a decision until after the June 27 NBA draft.
“As a stopgap for that situation, sure,” said one source. “Vinnie would be the perfect person for what they need. All of the all-star coaches, or whatever you want to call them, are going, and knowing how Danny feels about him, (Del Negro) would be a good fit.”
