Report: Celtics Expect Doc Rivers To Return, Deny Nets Chance To Speak With Coveted Head Coach
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- The Brooklyn Nets can cross Doc Rivers off their coaching wishlist. According to ESPN, Celtics' president of basketball operations Danny Ainge has denied the Nets permission to speak with Rivers.
"Doc has told me he's coming back," Ainge told ESPN. "I talk to him almost every day about our team and what we are going to do moving forward."
Rivers has a three-year contract worth $21 million remaining on his current deal. Ainge and the Celtics expect Rivers to honor his contract
"We know people want Doc," Ainge said. "We know people want Rajon Rondo, KG and Paul Pierce. They are the Celtics. They've all had great success."
Rivers guided the Celtics to the 2008 NBA title and was named the NBA's Coach of the Year in 2000 while presiding over the Orlando Magic. Ainge is prepared not only to keep hold of Rivers -- but also to keep the core of the Celtics together.
The Nets will now have to look elsewhere to replace P.J. Carlesimo, who the team elected not to bring back as head coach after Brooklyn was eliminated by the Chicago Bulls in the first-round of the NBA Playoffs. Brooklyn has also unsuccessfully targeted Phil Jackson. The former Bulls and Los Angeles Lakers' head coach continues to insist he is finished coaching.
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