Boston Celtics’ coach Doc Rivers to get bumper contract extension
Boston Celtics coach Doc Rivers had indicated earlier that he will come back next season as head coach. Now, it has surfaced that the Celtics have offered him a whooping 35 million dollars, 5 year contract, making him the best
paid head coach in the entire league.
Doc Rivers was hired as Boston’s head coach in 2004. The Celtics struggled in the seasons from 2005 to 2007 and Rivers came under the spotlight for all the wrong reasons. However, the Celtics front office retained the services
of Rivers and trusted him to guide the franchise back to the promise land. Soon, he orchestrated the arrival of Big Three trio of Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen and Paul Pierce. The very same year, Doc Rivers won the NBA world title, repaying the faith of Celtics
management and cementing his reputation as one of the best coaches in the NBA.
The Celtics went to the NBA Finals again in 2010, losing out to the Los Angeles Lakers after a thrilling series. Their exit in the Eastern Conference semi-finals this season however had raised a lot of questions over Rivers’ future
and that of the team. Rivers though maintained that he was “leaning heavily” towards coming back next year and later confirmed his availability for the Celtics head coach role.
Doc Rivers' extension also means that there will be no drastic changes in the Celtics roster for next season. However there could be some activity as the Celtics look to acquire new talent to help their old stars Kevin Garnett,
Ray Allen and Paul Pierce. Rivers has already gone on record to this effect,
“We have to surround (the Big Three) with talent,” he said. “Miami is only going to get better. Chicago is only going to get better. To help Kevin, Ray and Paul we just have to add talent. We relied in those three to carry the
load for years but we can’t do that as much anymore.”
Negotiations for a new contract started around three weeks ago between Rivers' agent, Lonnie Cooper, and the Celtics management. "Doc didn't want any distractions during the season," said a source directly involved in the discussions.
And with both parties willing to continue their association, an agreement has been reached already, with the announcement expected next Monday or Tuesday.
The $35 million over 5 year contract would be the most lucrative for an NBA coach from next season. The contract averages out at $7 million a year, putting New York Knicks coach Mike D’Antoni’s $6 million a year in the shade. The
current highest paid coach is Los Angeles Lakers boss Phil Jackson, who received $10 million this year, but Jackson would not be coming back next season.
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