The Celtics are working on a multiyear deal with c

BOSTON — The Celtics are working on a multiyear deal with coach Doc Rivers that would bring him back for another run at an NBA title with Boston’s aging Big Three — and then keep him on the bench to work with the rebuilt roster that is expected to follow.”Doc wants to be a Celtic and [president of basketball operations] Danny Ainge wants him to remain with the Celtics,” Celtics spokesman Jeff Twiss told ESPN The Magazine’s Chris Broussard on Thursday night. “Nothing is imminent. Boston Celtics Jerseys Nothing is going to happen today or tomorrow. But there has been progress made toward keeping Doc with the Celtics for a few more years.”The value of the contract is believed to be more than $6 million per year, a source told ESPN The Magazine’s Ric Bucher on Thursday night. That source along with another said that the negotiations were accelerated because of a perceived interest in Rivers by the Los Angeles Lakers, who likely have an opening to fill as coach Phil Jackson has said he plans to retire.Ainge said on the radio earlier Thursday that the sides were working on a long-term deal. Neither Rivers nor his agent, Lonnie Cooper, responded to messages seeking comment.
But Rivers, whose contract expires at the end of this season, told players after being eliminated from the playoffs on Wednesday night that he would return.”I’m going to put this on the record,Cheap NFL Arizona Cardinals Jerseys,” point guard Rajon Rondo said after the 97-87 loss to the Miami Heat eliminated the Celtics from the postseason. “Doc already committed that he was coming back with me so he can’t go back against his word. We just signed a contract about 10 minutes ago.”Rivers’ commitment is the biggest indication that Ainge will keep together the core of the team that won the 2008 title and returned to the NBA Finals in 2010, losing in seven games to the Lakers.But it’s not for one last run with the Big Three, the AP has learned. NBA Jerseys A long-term deal would mean that Rivers, who last summer considered leaving to spend more time with his family, was committed to rebuild the roster when Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen — and perhaps Pierce as well — retire.Pierce, a career Celtic and the team captain, is signed for three more years; he will turn 34 before the 2011-12 season opener. Garnett, who turns 35 next week, has one more year on his deal. And Allen will turn 36 this summer and then enter the final year of his contract.
Rivers has been rumored for vacancies across the league, including the Lakers. Although last summer he mulled whether to take time off and spend time with his family, he said immediately after Wednesday night’s game that he was “leaning heavily to coming back.”Shaquille O’Neal, 39, probably has only two options: Rehabilitate the right calf that essentially drydocked him since January and return for one last run at a title, or retire and wait for the call from the Hall of Fame. He was not available after the game for comment, as he has been for almost all of the past three months.”This has been emotionally draining to him, more than you guys would know,” Rivers said. “He feels awful about this because this is why he came here, to get to the playoffs and then play in the playoffs. Replica Jerseys Not being able to do that has really hurt him.”Jermaine O’Neal, who is exactly one year younger than Pierce, is also signed for one more season. Glen “Big Baby” Davis and Nenad Krstic are free agents, meaning Rondo is the only player who was more than a spot starter who is under contract and under 30.”I know it’s going to look different. I know that for a fact,” Pierce said. “I don’t know what, but we’ll have to wait and see.”