Doc Rivers wants to coach the Boston Celtics, but that desire depends on the team's outlook. According to Ken Berger of CBS Sports, Rivers is still on the fence about returning to Boston next season because both he and the team are wondering if it's time to rebuild.
Apparently, neither Rivers nor general manager Danny Ainge want to revamp a team led by aging stars in Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce, but they certainly think that a number of moves need to be made to keep the pair around and on a competitive team.
The difficulty in doing that has Rivers mulling over the possibility of stepping down as head coach.
The Celtics lost in the first round of the playoffs to the New York Knicks and with point guard Rajon Rondo likely to miss a bit of the 2013-14 season recovering from an ACL tear, it's hard to see Boston playing up to their own expectations. Sources tell Berger that Rivers doesn't want to be a part of a rebuilding franchise. If the team goes in that direction, they said Rivers could look for a "new situation."
Internally, it appears Boston is still determining which is the best route to take. Until that is decided, Rivers' future is likely also going to be up in the air.
Should Rivers step down with three years and $21 million left on his contract, he'd be a highly sought-after coaching candidate for many of the vacancies in the NBA. Boston has denied requests from the Brooklyn Nets and Los Angeles Clippers to speak with Rivers, Berger reports.
Additionally, the Memphis Grizzlies would be interested in Rivers. They recently told coach Lionel Hollins they wouldn't renew his contract and are already searching for a replacement.
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