Celtics Coach Doc Rivers Set To Take The Los Angeles Clippers Vacant Job

The Los Angeles Clippers have filled their vacant coaching spot coming to terms, in principle, on a compensation deal sending their 2015 unprotected first-round draft pick to the Boston Celtics, who will release Doc Rivers of his three-year $21 million contract.

ESPN.com reports that with the Clippers attaining Rivers' services (Los Angeles will pick up the three-year $21 million contract Rivers is owed once the deal is approved), point guard Chris Paul is likely to re-sign with Los Angeles for a fiver-year max deal. Paul becomes an unrestricted agent on July 1st.

The Clippers head coaching job opened up after Los Angeles informed Vinny Del Negro that his contract would be allowed to expire. Del Negro led the Clippers to a 56-26 record, including a 17-game winning streak. Del Negro led Los Angeles to the Western Conference semifinals last year, but was eliminated this last post-season in the first round by the Memphis Grizzlies.

Both teams had been trying to work out a trade that would have included power forward Kevin Garnett in exchange for forward DeAndre Jordan and two first-round draft picks but National Basketball Association commissioner David Stern quickly nixed any trade that involved a coach due to collective bargaining agreement (CBA) rules prohibiting such a move.

"I would say in the language of diplomacy that the teams are aware that the collective bargaining agreement doesn't authorize trades involving coaches contracts," commissioner Stern said on the "Stephen A. Smith Show" on ESPN Radio. "The only consideration that can be done here in players transactions are other players, draft picks and a very limited amount of cash. But, coaches contracts don't qualify as extra consideration or acceptable consideration in player transactions. The teams know that."

ESPN's Marc Stein reports that NBA will not budge from its original stance and would see any Garnett-to-the-Clippers deal as connected to Doc Rivers' signing and a violation of the CBA.

Just want to thank the Celtics organization and the whole city of Boston for supporting my father and the family over the years.Great people

- Austin Rivers (@AustinRivers25) June 23, 2013

ESPN reports that Celtic ownership was not keen on paying $7 million for a coach when the team is in the middle of a rebuilding project and does not expect to contend for an NBA title. The team is also shopping guard Paul Pierce around for a possible trade, hoping to secure a first-round draft pick. The team is willing sit tight, and hold on to Pierce's $15.3 million contract, until next season's trade deadline if needed.

The Celtics has scheduled a press conference for noon on Monday, with Rivers expected to explain his decision to leave Boston after nine seasons.