HoopsHype.com Rumors

Rivers could speak with Chris Paul as soon as Saturday about assurances that he will be willing to re-sign with the Clippers should Rivers and Garnett join him in Los Angeles, sources said. The Celtics and Rivers want a finality to these talks, and there's pressure to complete a deal in the next two days or walk away completely, sources said. Yahoo! Sports

Boston Celtics, Los Angeles Clippers, Paul Pierce, Free Agency, Chris Paul, Doc Rivers, Coaching, Kevin Garnett 

With some clear mutual interest having been established, the situation has progressed to the point where the Celtics and Clippers are now engaging in talks involving Doc Rivers and players. Sources told the Herald today that, while there are still many moving parts in the process, there is now significant impetus from both sides to find common ground. Boston Herald

Boston Celtics, Los Angeles Clippers, Paul Pierce, Trade, Doc Rivers, Coaching, Kevin Garnett 

According to a source close to Rivers, the coach wants to make sure the Celtics emerge from the deal in a better position to transition from the Paul Pierce-Garnett era. "Doc wants this to be a win-win," he said. "He still feels very strongly about the Celtics and Danny (Ainge, the club's president of basketball operations). "If (the Celtics) can’t work things out with the Clippers, then Doc would have no problem going back and coaching. He just wants to make sure that if he does go, the Celtics come out of it stronger." Boston Herald

Boston Celtics, Los Angeles Clippers, Paul Pierce, Trade, Doc Rivers, Danny Ainge, Coaching, Kevin Garnett 

Marc Stein: There's a rising belief around the NBA that Doc, KG & Pierce all want to carry on as a trio in Clipperland if they can't roll on in Boston. Twitter @ESPNSteinLine

Boston Celtics, Los Angeles Clippers, Paul Pierce, Trade, Doc Rivers, Vinny Del Negro, Coaching, Kevin Garnett 

Marc Stein: Cash and draft considerations in exchange for Doc? Separate trades for Garnett and Pierce without surrendering Blake Griffin? All do-able. Twitter @ESPNSteinLine

Boston Celtics, Los Angeles Clippers, Paul Pierce, Trade, Doc Rivers, Blake Griffin, Vinny Del Negro, Coaching, Kevin Garnett 

However, it would be unlikely that the Celtics could include Paul Pierce in that deal, as Pierce and Garnett’s salaries would be too expensive for the Clippers. One league source said there’s concern among Clippers management that a potential deal might include too many moving parts to pull off. Boston Globe

Boston Celtics, Los Angeles Clippers, Paul Pierce, Trade, Kevin Garnett 

Dallas Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle is among those who isn't crazy about the idea of Pierce moving on to another team. "My hope is it doesn't happen," Carlisle, who wore jersey No. 34 when he played for the C's in the 1980s, told CSNNE.com. "But there are certain realities that all teams face now, so time will tell." CSNNE.com

Boston Celtics, Dallas Mavericks, Paul Pierce, Trade, Rick Carlisle 

Eric Pincus: I've touched on the notion of LAC/KG/Pierce dating back to midseason - I've heard Pierce, if let out of contract, may have interest in LAC Twitter @EricPincus

Boston Celtics, Los Angeles Clippers, Paul Pierce, Trade 

ESPN.com has also learned that the Celtics and Clippers -- in an offshoot of February's Kevin Garnett-to-L.A. trade talks -- discussed expanded trade scenarios that actually could have sent both Garnett and close friend Paul Pierce to the Clippers before the league's Feb. 21 trade deadline. Sources say that those talks, before breaking down, were centered around Boston getting back both prized Clippers guard Eric Bledsoe and young center DeAndre Jordan and did not involve Clippers star forward Blake Griffin. ESPN.com

Boston Celtics, Los Angeles Clippers, Paul Pierce, Trade, Doc Rivers, Blake Griffin, Eric Bledsoe, Coaching, Kevin Garnett, DeAndre Jordan 

It is not yet known if the Clippers intend to revive those trade discussions and pursue either Garnett or Pierce -- or both -- in conjunction with this month's NBA draft. But one source familiar with the Clippers' thinking told ESPN.com that the club plans to be "very aggressive" and "shake every tree" in terms of upgrading the roster this offseason. Acquiring Garnett or Pierce -- or both -- would naturally make Rivers even more of a natural coaching target for the Clippers than he already is. ESPN.com

Boston Celtics, Los Angeles Clippers, Paul Pierce, Doc Rivers, Eric Bledsoe, Coaching, Kevin Garnett 

He started playing pickup basketball again at a YMCA shortly after. When he dominated the competition, opponents asked him what team he played for. "I've been on the couch for two years," he told them. Dark days can also be used to describe the times when his favorite team, the Celtics, stunk. Minnerath is a Paul Pierce fan, even had posters on his wall as a youngster. Growing up in Cape Cod, it took him about two hours to make his way into Boston. He would buy nosebleed seats just to watch games from inside the TD Garden, then called FleetCenter. At the time Boston was in the middle of a 22-year NBA championship drought, the longest in the franchise's history. As a measure of the Celtics' ineptitude, Brett Szabo started 24 games for the team in 1996-97. After that season, he never appeared in another NBA game. Yes, Minnerath laughed, those were dark times to be a Celtics fan. "But it was good and bad," he said. "I used to be able to get tickets for $10." Booth Newspapers

Boston Celtics, Paul Pierce, Draft, Nick Minnerath 

The waiting game continues for the Celtics, who remain unsure if head coach Doc Rivers will be back next season. A league source told CSNNE.com on Monday that Rivers' decision on whether he will return will not be based solely on whether Paul Pierce and/or Kevin Garnett are back in next season. Rivers' hesitation to verbally commit to next season has more to do with his uncertainty as to what type of team Danny Ainge, Boston's president of basketball operations, will give him to coach. CSNNE.com

Boston Celtics, Paul Pierce, Doc Rivers, Danny Ainge, Kevin Garnett 

Beyond whatever private considerations he might be contemplating, Rivers is waiting for Ainge to make two enormous, potentially era-changing decisions. He has to decide whether to renew Paul Pierce’s contract by June 30, and whether to bring back Garnett. The alternative is moving one or both assets to build for the future. Garnett, in turn, still might be debating a return, though according to a league source, he has not had surgery on his troublesome left leg. Garnett spent all of his off-court playoff time in a therapeutic boot, and dropped hints about how much the inflammation in his left ankle area cut down on mobility. But rest appears to have been the solution to his issues. Boston Herald

Boston Celtics, Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett 

They still don’t have definitive plans or answers from their Big Three — Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and coach Doc Rivers — but league sources are saying the C’s have a much better idea of what they will be able to do to improve their roster this offseason. And while some of those answers aren’t encouraging, others give a hint that Danny Ainge may have some options when it comes to moves. Boston Herald

Boston Celtics, Paul Pierce, Doc Rivers, Danny Ainge, Coaching, Kevin Garnett 

The president of basketball operations has yet to have a discussion about the future with either Pierce or Garnett, and, with so much on his part to get done before he can offer them meaningful answers to what he expects will be their questions, Ainge doesn’t seem in a hurry. “We’re giving them as much time as they need,” he said. “I talk to Doc every day. The other two guys, I have not talked with yet. Boston Herald

Boston Celtics, Paul Pierce, Doc Rivers, Danny Ainge, Coaching, Kevin Garnett 

There is reportedly healthy interest in Pierce out on the market. But the Celtics won’t be giving him away. Ainge has noted that his captain had a strong overall year, and while he wasn’t quite up to his own par in the playoffs, there are valid reasons for that. (Without Rajon Rondo, Pierce’s job description grew dramatically.) The C’s will have to decide by June 30 whether to guarantee Pierce his $15.3 million or buy him out for $5 million, and by then they will have had ample opportunity to peruse offers for him. Boston Herald

Boston Celtics, Paul Pierce, Rajon Rondo 

Danny Ainge can only chuckle when asked about the latest round of rumors involving the Celtics, who are reportedly "likely" to buy out Paul Pierce's contract for $5 million. "Nothing surprises me," Ainge told CSNNE.com. "I'll just let speculation continue." CSNNE.com

Boston Celtics, Paul Pierce, Danny Ainge 

A league source told CSNNE.com that the biggest factor in Kevin Garnett's return will be his health, and whether the perennial All-Star feels he can still compete at a level he is accustomed to. "If his body isn't where he wants it to be, Paul's return is a moot point of discussion," the source said. Ainge said he has not spoken with Garnett or his representatives about the future Hall of Famer's future, nor have Ainge and the C's made a decision on whether Pierce will be back, bought out, or traded. CSNNE.com

Boston Celtics, Paul Pierce, Danny Ainge, Kevin Garnett 

Rich Levine: Spoke to someone with the Celtics last night, and they laughed off the recent report that the Celtics are "likely" to buy out Pierce. Twitter @rich_levine

Boston Celtics, Paul Pierce 

Sources indicate Celtics director of basketball operations Danny Ainge will likely buy out forward Paul Pierce's $15 million contract for next year ($5 million is guaranteed). If that happens, Grant should be first in line to try to acquire Pierce's services. However, before anyone gets too giddy, Pierce will likely want to go to a serious contender. News-Herald

Boston Celtics, Paul Pierce