Call it the "Strobe Light" negotiations between the Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Clippers.
The on-again, off-again talks between the two teams apparently will be in the "on" position again on Monday, the Los Angeles Times is reporting.
"I think there is still some life left in it," one NBA executive said, speaking on the condition of anonymity because he is not authorized to speak publicly about the negotiations. "The door is not closed yet on getting a deal done."
The report flies in stark contrast with a pair of reports that insist the deal is dead. Yahoo! Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski reported that Rivers' agent has informed the Clippers that Rivers no longer is interested in the job and the decision he faces now is whether to return to the Celtics or return to the broadcast booth in 2013-14.
The Boston Herald is in agreement that the deal is in the "off position," but doesn't completely close the door of another switch.
"A league source just told the Herald that negotiations between the Celtics and Clippers over the release of Doc Rivers from his contract have ended.
Though there is a slim chance that talks could resume for a third time, both sides appeared to acknowledge today that nothing can be gained."
The hang-up has been the compensation the Celtics will receive for Rivers' move to Los Angeles. The Celtics reportedly want a first-round pick in 2014, and the Clippers are offering a second-round pick.
The Times reports that the Clippers have time on their hands because they have three other candidates they have interviewed for the job. Two have not been offered other coaching positions (Indiana associate head coach Brian Shaw and former Memphis Grizzlies head coach Lionel Hollins) and the third (former Cleveland Cavaliers coach Byron Scott) has not met with any other teams.
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