Sources suggest franchise is awaiting league approval before confirmation.
The Los Angeles Clippers have reportedly reached a deal with the Boston Celtics for coach Doc Rivers, while Paul Pierce may also move on as they begin a rebuilding process.
Sources told ESPN that the Clippers will sign Rivers to a three-year deal worth $21m, while the Celtics will receive a 2015 first-round pick as compensation in return.
In a knock-on effect, it is understood that the arrival of Rivers will be enough to persuade point guard Chris Paul to sign a new five-year max contract, as he is currently set to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1.
However, the move is still awaiting “league approval”, and therefore there has been no official confirmation of the deal from either organisation, although a press conference is scheduled on Monday by the Celtics.
Celtics director of basketball operations, Danny Ainge, is also reportedly looking to secure a first-round pick for veteran Paul Pierce, who can be bought out by June 30 for $5m.
The rebuilding of the franchise comes after a disappointing season where they were defeated in the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs by the New York Knicks.
After a regular season blighted by injuries, including to point guard Rajan Rondo, it had been a real struggle throughout and with the defeat to the Knicks came the end of an era at the TD Bank Garden.
Moving forward, it is clear that Rondo will play a more vital role as the franchise could look to build around him. However, for Celtics fans it will be a sad ending to Rivers’ nine-year spell as head coach.
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