SB Nation DC: All Posts by Jonathan Tjarks

Doc Rivers will be the Celtics coach next season

2013-05-16T19:02:40Z

Although Doc Rivers is under contract for next season, rumors about the Celtics beginning a rebuilding effort have led many to speculate about the veteran coach's future in Boston.

The Nets were one of many teams rumored to be interested in Rivers if he were made available, but Celtics GM Danny Ainge shot down the possibility on Thursday:

Danny Ainge confirms that Doc Rivers is returning next season as #celtics coach. "We've got a coach everybody would love to have."
— gary washburn (@GwashNBAGlobe) May 16, 2013

Rivers, one of the most respected coaches in the NBA, has openly speculated about stepping away at the end of the last few seasons.

Celtics Blog: The doctor is in

Now, the spotlight turns to Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett, who have both hinted at the possibility of retirement. If they come back, will Ainge try for one more run at a championship or will he begin the process of building a younger team around Rajon Rondo?

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2013 NBA Draft: Dennis Schroeder, Giannis Antetokoumpo receive 1st-round promises

2013-05-16T18:50:40Z

While many NBA front offices are still getting familiar with this year's group of international prospects, two of the most promising -- Dennis Schroeder of Germany and Giannis Antetokoumpo of Greece -- have already received first-round guarantees, according to a report from Chad Ford of ESPN.

Both players are currently projected as mid-to-late first-round picks, but there's no way to know where exactly in the first round they've received their promises.

Schroeder, a 19-year old point guard, burst onto the scene after a strong showing at the Nike Hoop Summit. An athletic 6'1, 180-pound guard with a 6'7 wingspan, he has prototypical size and speed for the position in the NBA.

Antetokoumpo, an 18-year old small forward, has been quietly moving up draft boards for weeks, despite never playing in the United States and competing for a second-division Greek team. An athletic 6'8, 200-pound forward with a 7'3 wingspan who plays point guard for his club team, he has a ton of upside, but he's relatively unproven against high-level competition.

Schroeder may come over to the United States next season, but Antetokoumpo will likely stay overseas. His contract has already been bought by a Spanish team, which will give him the chance to play against better players as a 19-year old.

Now that both have received first-round guarantees, the question will be whether their agents shut them down and prevent other teams from getting closer looks at them.

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Clippers may bring Vinny Del Negro back

2013-05-16T16:00:58Z

The Vinny Del Negro era in Los Angeles may not be coming to an end after all, according to a report from Ramona Shelburne and Marc Stein of ESPN.com.

Del Negro, whose contract expires at the end of June, had been on the hot seat for most of the season, with the Clippers' loss to the Grizzlies in the first round of the playoffs widely seen as the final straw.

Clips Nation: Could Eric Gordon wind up back in L.A?

However, the team's regular season success, including a franchise-record 56 wins, may have earned Del Negro another contract.

Just as important is Del Negro's reported willingness to sign a short-term deal, as Donald Sterling has not wanted to give out long-term contracts after having to pay Mike Dunleavy the remainder of his $22 million deal when he was let go in 2010.

One other NBA team has already expressed interest in Del Negro, but his main priority is staying with the Clippers.

In the end, it will probably come down to Chris Paul, who is also set to enter free agency this summer. If Paul makes a new coach part of the deal for staying in L.A., not even the Clippers are likely to stick with Del Negro.

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