Every morning, we compile the links of the day and dump them here… highlighting the big story line. Because there’s nothing quite as satisfying as a good morning dump.
Austin Rivers is headed to Hollywood to make history playing for his father, Doc, with the Los Angeles Clippers.
League sources told ESPN.com that the Clippers, Boston Celtics and Phoenix Suns have scheduled a trade call for Thursday afternoon after agreeing to terms on a three-team trade that will land Rivers in Los Angeles.
The deal, sources said, will send Rivers to the Clippers, former L.A. first-round pick Reggie Bullockto the Suns and two players to the Celtics: Phoenix big man Shavlik Randolph and L.A. swingman Chris Douglas-Roberts.
According to the Elias Sports Bureau, Rivers will become the first son to play for his father when he makes his first appearance with the Clippers. Coby Karl was briefly a member of the Nuggets in 2010 under father George Karl, but Coby did not actually play for Denver during that stint, which occurred while his father — now an NBA analyst for ESPN — was on leave recovering from throat cancer.
The Celtics and Nate Robinson have also agreed to terms on a buyout. Robinson will be waived and he’s expected to become a free agent. The veteran point guard, acquired in a trade from the Denver Nuggets on Tuesday, is looking to sign with a playoff contender.
ESPN Boston – Austin Rivers traded to Clippers
Well that was a short lived stint for Austin Rivers as a member of the Celtics. I guess he was technically a Celtic, but in reality he was just a means to an end (unless you’re Doc and the Clippers). What that end eventually turns out to be, well it’s going to take some time before we all find out. Danny Ainge is in full auction mode, jettisoning dead weight faster than a digital yard sale on ebay. What has resulted is a massive and tangled web of draft picks (with stipulations and protections), cap space and trade exceptions. The future is as blurry as the current roster situation. We simply don’t know who will be here when Ainge’s next real team exists.
And back to the current reality, which is the constant state of change. We could assume that Marcus Smart, James Young, Jared Sullinger and maybe Kelly Olynyk are sort of long term pieces, but who knows? For the remainder of this year it’s all about watching (and hopefully seeing) these guys improve and develop. Oh, it will also be about seeing which moves Ainge makes before the trading deadline. Get your bids ready, at this rate even you can put in a bid for one of the temporary Celtics.
Page 2: Evan Turner dodged a bullet
Turner said he was relieved because he initially feared a break after injuring the thumb during a collision with Atlanta’sDeMarre Carroll on Wednesday. Turner was his typical joking self when he met with reporters after watching his team engage in a brief walkthrough while shorthanded on bodies.
“I thought it was broken, to tell you the truth, because I couldn’t really grip with it or anything,” said Turner. “If you threw me the ball, it kinda hurt because it hurt the inside of it. I’ll be fine. I just need a day for it to rest, heal up, and get a little bit better. We’ll figure out a way to tape it up and I’ll be fine.”
ESPN Boston – Practice: Shorthanded C’s go light
Evan Turner thought he broke his thumb the other night against the Hawks. Anyone who has ever played basketball knows this feeling. You reach for a steal and jam a finger or thumb. It kills for a while, and like Turner, most of the time it’s just a nasty, lingering sprain. His status for tonight’s game is uncertain as is Sullinger’s and Young’s due to being sick. The C’s are already in for a tough night with those guys so if any of them don’t play it will be even more difficult
The rest of the links:
ESPN Boston – Boston’s pile of draft picks | Trade Danny’s roster overhaul
Boston Globe – Celtics hope for some normal after trades | Celtics trades Austin Rivers to Clippers
Boston Herald – Celtics Notebook: Bulls’ Butler begins to make Marq
CSNNE – Randolph ‘excited’ to rejoin Celtics after trade | Rajon Rondo dealing with Achilles injury | Randolph’s return to C’s part of Austin Rivers’ deal | Thumb injury could keep C’s Turner out Friday vs. Bulls |Ainge: It’s not the picks, it’s what you do with them
WEEI – Celtics trade Austin Rivers, waive Nate Robinson | Hawks represent a “machine” Brad Stevens is familiar with: Could Boston model Atlanta’s success?
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
