Former Boston Celtics coach Doc Rivers flew to Los Angeles on Tuesday and inked his signature on a contract with the Clippers that is reportedly worth three years and $21 million, according to Yahoo! Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski.
Doc Rivers signs contract to become Clippers coach, according to report
The Los Angeles Clippers have locked in Doc Rivers for a reported three-year deal.
Christian Petersen
That completed an arduous process that included multiple delays in trade talks between the Clippers and Celtics, compromises in those trade talks, NBA-involved disruption about the legality of the talks and a dead period in the last few days as Rivers was assured of the plan moving forward.
Clips Nation: More reaction to the official hiring of Doc Rivers
Rivers wanted control in player personnel moves in Los Angeles, and the Boston Herald reported Tuesday that the last few days of relative silence -- after the NBA approved the Rivers deal -- were because he wanted to make sure things were “air tight” with Clippers owner Donald Sterling. Rivers said the Sterling-owned Clippers was the only team he asked to be traded from as a player.
The new Clippers coach is expected to have a final say on roster moves, something he didn’t have in Boston.
Chris Paul is another thing Rivers didn't have in Boston. The free agent point guard pushed the Clippers to acquire Rivers, and them doing so likely assures he re-signs this offseason.
Rivers’ expanded role is rare among NBA coaches. San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich is another NBA coach who also has the power to make player personnel decisions.
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