Clippers and Celtics Discussing Doc Rivers/Kevin Garnett Deal Again

The end of negotiations between the Boston Celtics and LA Clippers turned out to be a mere halt. According to multiple published reports, the teams are once again trying to figure out a way for Doc Rivers (who met with Celtics’ management today) and Kevin Garnett to end up on the West Coast. Per Yahoo! Sports and the Boston Globe: “With a full understanding that free agent Chris Paul wants this deal completed, the Los Angeles Clippers re-engaged the Boston Celtics on the Kevin Garnett-Doc Rivers negotiations on Wednesday afternoon, league sources said. The Clippers walked away from the talks on Monday morning, insisting that Boston’s asking price of DeAndre Jordan and two first-round picks was too steep of a price for Garnett. Clippers management believed Boston would eventually come back to them out of a belief that the Celtics-Rivers relationship would be difficult to repair, but league sources told Y! Sports that Paul’s desire to play for Rivers – and with Garnett – has been a significant motivator for Los Angeles. The Clippers have negotiated a five-year, $35 million deal with Rivers that could be worth as much as $8 million annually with incentives, sources said. Garnett will waive his no-trade clause to be a part of the deal. The Clippers would have to pay a $3.5 million trade kicker on Jordan’s contract. […] Paul, who is a free agent, apparently would re-sign a long-term extension with Rivers as Los Angeles coach. Rivers played for the Clippers during the 1991-92 season and privately believes his message may not resonate as strongly with the Celtics players after nine years.”