The on again - off again Doc Rivers and Kevin Garnett trade between the Celtics and Clippers seems to be on life support for the second time in a week. You can look at this blockbuster trade rumor in a number of different ways. It certainly would help both teams if it goes through, but the road blocks in this deal may have seriously damaged both sides.
If the you're the Clippers, you're at a make or break time with your franchise. You are relevant for the first time in decades, but the main reason why you are having your new found success, Chris Paul, is an impending free agent. If he walks your right back to number 8 in the Los Angeles sports market. That's right 8th. If Chris Paul leaves the Clippers would most certainly behind the Lakers, Dodgers, Angels, Kings, Sparks, Galaxy, and whatever rumored NFL franchise is moving to L.A this week. Yep, right behind a team that doesn't exist.
So wouldn't you do everything you can to keep that player who means so much to your franchise? Wouldn't you jump at the chance to get the best coach in the Eastern Conference and a perennial all star and future hall of famer in Kevin Garnett? Well as long as you don't lose a key piece off your roster, right?
Well insert Donald Sterling here. Now, don't forget this is the worst owner in all of sports, never mind the NBA. He makes Jeffery Loria of the Miami Marlins look like George Steinbrenner.
This is the same guy that traded an unprotected first round draft pick for Mo Williams. Great trade, since the return from that draft pick, that for some reason they didn't Top 10 protect, turned into some chump named Kyrie Irving. And thats just his inepititude to run a pro basketball team, not even going to get into the lawsuits that are piling up against him.
Yeah, so keep that in perspective, you're dealing with a MORON, A DESPICABLE RACIST MORON.
But c'mon if you can improve your team right now, and it's obvious you need to improve your team, the guy cant be that stupid right? Well, you guessed it wrong.
I can see not wanting to part ways with Eric Bledsoe, who the Celtics have coveted for going on a year now. Even though he is the backup of the guy you would actually make the trade to please. But, I get it, good young talent is hard to find. The Celtics are only asking for DeAndre Jordan and two first round draft picks now, for a future HOF Power Forward, and a franchise changing coach. Too good to be true if you are the Clippers.
L.A. gives up a guy who was in the doghouse last year because of his ineffectiveness on the offensive end, lack of consistency, awful free throw shooting, and had a knack of picking up bad fouls. Yes, Jordan is a good, young center with size and athleticism, but you are paying him alooooot of money over the next year.
You also have to give up two first round picks, but again who cares? You're building a team for a championship right now, and this trade will improve your roster, and convince Chris Paul to sign. It's a no brainer.
Again, the genius Donald Sterling is so much smarter than everyone else, he stalls, and vetoes the trade.
A typical Sterling move. My main question is what the heck is Danny Ainge thinking trying to deal with this guy. Maybe if he keeps asking, Sterling will say yes and include Bledsoe??? I'm not ruling anything out, this Sterling is a maniac.
And on the flip side, if the trade goes through the Celtics would get something out Doc and KG. This would jump start a much needed rebuilding process. It's tough to think about a Celtics team minus it's heart and soul, KG, and mastermind behind it all in Doc, but the writing is on the wall.
The major downfall about this whole mess of a trade scenario, is what happens if it doesn't go through. It would be extremely awkward. Doc has been pretty mum on the issue that he could be out the door, and has never committed to the Celtics since the end of the season. He's big timing the Celtics right now. Doc would have to go back to coaching a team, that by his actions has made very clear, he does not think have a legitimate chance to win. If he thought that they did he wouldn't be trying to sneak out the back door, and out of the remainder of his five-year deal.
Doc can't come back now. All of this talk has not been ignored by Jeff Green, Jared Sullinger , Avery Bradley, and Rajon Rondo. The core of the team moving forward, assuming Pierce and Garnett are no longer with the team. They have a coach who over the years they have done everything for, now he's not showing the same respect back. Doc's given up on the Celtics young talent and it's obvious.
Not only that but other teams will come out of the wood work knowing that the Celtics are desperate. Ainge will have to decide whether to just deal to the next suitor to end the situation and get something, even if it is not market value. The trade with the Clippers makes sense, both teams would be happy but now its an extremely ugly situation.
So there is a scheduled press conference for noon today. I don't know what Doc can say at this point. Right now the deal is rumored off, or stalled, or whatever, but the damage has been done. The Celtics and Doc Rivers have reached the point of no return.
-Sean Dutra
@seandutra on twitter
The major downfall about this whole mess of a trade scenario, is what happens if it doesn't go through. It would be extremely awkward. Doc has been pretty mum on the issue that he could be out the door, and has never committed to the Celtics since the end of the season. He's big timing the Celtics right now. Doc would have to go back to coaching a team, that by his actions has made very clear, he does not think have a legitimate chance to win. If he thought that they did he wouldn't be trying to sneak out the back door, and out of the remainder of his five-year deal. 
