The Boston Celtics traded Doc Rivers to the Los Angeles Clippers for a 2015 first round pick. The pick is also unprotected, but I don't think that will become an issue. This is the first time, in a really long time, that a coach has been traded in the NBA. The last coach trade that I remember involved Jon Gruden, when he was traded from Oakland to Tampa Bay.
This was a good trade for Boston because Rivers was unlikely to return to the team this season. Getting a first round pick in exchange should be considered a steal. Boston is now saddled with finding a new coach, but they would have had to anyways. They likely will not find a coach as good as Rivers was, but they are in full rebuilding mode now. They will likely be back with a lot of new players next season in an effort to get young.
Chris Paul's decision to come back or not will make or break this deal for Rivers. If he does not return, this would be a big bust because they are not a championship contender without him. If this Rivers deal convinces him to return, this would be a good deal because a late first round draft pick would not be too much to part with in return for one of the better coaches in the league.
It will also be interesting to see if the Clippers decide to pursue Garnett. Garnett was a part of the original deal, but the league struck down the proposed deal. The Clippers should try to pursue him because he has a nice report with Doc Rivers.
I think this is a good deal for both teams, but only if Chris Paul returns to the Clippers. I do believe the Celtics got the best part of the deal because there was little to no chance he would return next season.
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