The Los Angeles Clippers’ lengthy trade for Boston Celtics’ Head Coach Glen ‘Doc’ Rivers has come to an end with both sides reaching an agreement in principle, according to multiple sources. Rivers will serve as Head Coach and Senior Vice President of Basketball Operations. The Clippers will send a 2015 first-round draft pick to the Celtics for the right to hire Rivers, who has three years and $21 million left on his Boston contract.
The reported deal must still be approved by the NBA. The two sides, however, are not expecting any problems. The Clippers are far from finished from improving this team. Look for them to continue their pursuit of both Boston’s center Kevin Garnett and Los Angeles native, forward Paul Pierce.
By acquiring the services of Doc Rivers, team owner Donald T. Sterling has added the type of championship pedigree, leadership and experience that legitimizes this franchise from this day forward. Gone are the days that L.A. is the laughing-stock of the NBA. Gone are the days when Sterling refuses to pay for one of the NBA’s top head coaches.
Several people have forgotten that this franchise started as the Buffalo Braves in 1970 and has had Hall of Fame players Adrian Dantley, Bob McAdoo, Bill Walton, Dominique Wilkins; and Dr. Jack Ramsay (head coach 1973-76 Buffalo Braves), Dolph Schayes (head coach 1970-71) and Elgin Baylor (General Manager 1986-2008, inducted as player 1977) — seven Naismith Memorial Basketball members — associated with the franchise.
Landing Doc Rivers is the most significant trade in the history of the red, white and royal blue-clad franchise since the team played in Buffalo, sporting powder blue, black, orange and white jersey’s being led by Dr. Ramsay. Prior to the Rivers signing, Clippers were in — for them — uncharted waters. The destination was established, but the direction and plan of attack were lacking.
The deficiency was corrected with one trade. Playing at the Staples Center, the sixth arena the franchise has called home, Rivers will take over a ball club with one of the deepest rosters in the league, whose fortunes dramatically changed in 2010 when core players, (guard) Chris Paul and (forward) Blake Griffin, donned the tri-colored gear.
Despite having the best two-year stretch in decades — winning their first division title and making the playoffs for the ninth time in franchise history in 2012-2013 — today marks a new era for the team. It adds more fuel to the rivalry and Hallway series between the Clippers and the Los Angeles Lakers.