Danny Ainge certainly did not see the Boston Celtics' 2013 offseason turning out like it currently is. There Celtics' started the summer by waiving goodbye to longtime coach Doc Rivers who departed in a trade for the Los Angeles Clippers. Boston will not begin an unexpected coaching search while also dealing with the futures of Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett. Ainge is a little shocked to say the least.
"It still probably hasn't hit me because I didn't really think it was going to happen. I have not talked to one coaching candidate at this point. I think Monday for the first time really, I thought, 'This is going to happen. This is probably going to happen.' Up until that time, I never really thought it was going to happen," Ainge said.
After nine seasons with the Celtics, Rivers was uncertain that he would return to Boston after the team had an early exit in the playoffs. The end result was Rivers leaving for the Clippers in exchange for a 2015 draft pick. The coach formally agreed to a new contract on Tuesday and was given full approval by the league.
Ainge remained very adamant after Boston's season ended that Rivers would in fact be returning and finishing out his contract with the team. Instead the two met privately to discuss options and Rivers expressed interest in leaving for Los Angeles. The new deal is worth $21 million over three-years, the same terms he had agreed to with Boston years ago.
"Doc Rivers is going to be the coach of the Los Angeles Clippers," Ainge said in a press conference, "I would first like to thank Doc for nine years of friendship, great coaching; he was a great teammate and the Clippers have a really good coach."
Ainge admits disappointment in the fact that Rivers will no longer be with the team. He had originally dismissed other possible suitors for the coach, including the Brooklyn Nets and Denver Nuggets before agreeing with the Clippers. Ainge said the two had once discussed long-term roots with the team.
"My feelings are, I planned on Doc being our coach all along. We had decisions about him being Gregg Popovich, Jerry Sloan, breaking Red Auerback's all-time win record as a Celtic and being here for a long time. So I never really thought about this day," Ainge said.
Ainge said the idea of rebuilding is certainly daunting at first, but he is excited for the phase ahead of him. Ainge is anxious for the process to begin, but has yet to even think of the coaching search. Sources say the organization might look promote from within or go out and get a less marquee name to fill the spot.
