The proposed trade involving the Boston Celtics and the Los Angeles Clippers is reportedly still alive, according to ESPN.com. Sources have told the website that the deal, which includes future Hall of Famer Kevin Garnett and current head coach Doc Rivers moving to Los Angeles, continued Monday with both teams holding "substantive discussions".
However, the teams were unable to agree on the final pieces to the puzzle, according to sources. Despite Boston reportedly willing to give up their goal of acquiring talented young guard Eric Bledsoe as part of the deal, the teams remained unable to finalize a deal.
The Clippers are also hesitant with negotiations on a new contract with Rivers, another factor slowing down the process. Rivers currently has three years remaining on his five-year, $35 million deal he signed with Boston and is seeking a new deal within the same price range.
This has prompted the Clippers to continue their coaching search just in case the trade falls through. They have scheduled interviews with Byron Scott on Tuesday and Brian Shaw on Wednesday. Former Grizzlies coach Lionel Hollins already met with owner Donald Sterling prior to the news of a potential sign-and-trade for Rivers.
Sources within the negotiations have told ESPN that both sides remain optimistic that a deal will eventually be agreed upon sometime this week. Those close to the talks believe the Clippers are using the interviews with Shaw and Scott as leverage in the negotiations with Boston and Rivers.
"It's a dance right now," said one source close to the process. "I think it'll eventually happen. They're just staring at each other."
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