Every morning, we compile the links of the day and dump them here… highlighting the big storyline. Because there’s nothing quite as satisfying as a good morning dump.
So Celts are said to have two approaches on coach search. More established coach if vets stick around; young coach if they full-on rebuild
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) June 26, 2013
After allowing Rivers out of the final three years of his contract to pursue the Clippers coaching vacancy, the assumption has been that Boston might be as tempted as ever to turn over its roster. It’s likely that decision ultimately hinges on what the Celtics can fetch for their aging stars this summer.
“I love Paul and KG and we haven’t made that decision yet,” Ainge said when asked if he wanted to bring both players back. “KG’s under contract, and Paul we have an option on in five days from now, and those are very big decisions for us. But those decisions, I’m not certain about either one of those.”
ESPN Boston: No decisions on KG, Pierce
I don’t know if I’m just being emotional here, because I’m trying to be rational when I say this: You might as well just do the rebuild now. As much as I love KG and Pierce, sometimes you have to turn the page. I know I’ve said this before, but if this can happen, the Pierce playing elsewhere shouldn’t be so shocking.
The 2014 draft is supposed to be a good one. So if you’re going to pick a time to potentially suck, the year before a good draft is a great time to do it. Please don’t mistake that for advocating tanking. I f’ing hate that. The team should be as good as it’s supposed to be. But rip away Pierce, KG, and Doc, and suddenly the team isn’t all that great.
I’m also going to push for waiving Pierce. I’ve already talked about the real savings on Pierce’s deal (about $16 million in salary/tax money). That gets the C’s under the tax line and away from the repeater tax. Unless the C’s can work a deal to get a trade exception that they can swing into a big-time player that makes paying the tax worth it, the savings are worth it.
Same with KG. I think the C’s need to sit with him and say “look, give us a list of teams you’d like to go to, and we’ll try to make that work. If not, we’ll welcome you back for one final season.”
So the Celtics should go with whatever plan they have for rebuilding. It’s time to suck it up and accept that this is where the team is, and move on. Doc is gone. It’s over. Let’s figure out how to move into the next era, whatever that might be.
Wyc Grousbeck on WEEI said decisions would be made today or tomorrow, as well as the beginning of July. We’ll see what decisions will be made.
The rest of the links:
ESPN Boston: Ainge hasn’t started coaching search | Ainge details Rivers’ timeline | Doc deal prevents player trade with Clips | Herald: Filling the C’s draft needs at Center | Ainge, Celtics at a loss | Score a point for Doc Rivers | How about Ainge for coach? | Globe: Challenges face C’s as they search for new coach | Search to replace Rivers begins now | CSNNE: Ainge goes public on Rivers’ release | Days go by: Ainge’s timeline on Rivers’ departure | Ainge: Doc felt like we needed a change | WEEI: Draft’s potential Celtics: French C Rudy Gobert | Ainge tells his side of Doc saga | MWDN: Ainge taken aback by Doc’s desire to leave Celtics
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