Talk about surprises.
All year people were questioning if Boston Celtics coach Doc Rivers would leave the franchise after his contract was up this season, or just stick around for one more season.
Well, Rivers will not only be on the sideline for another season, but Rivers and Celtics general manager Danny Ainge reportedly agreed to a five-year contract worth $35 million.
The deal gives Rivers another shot at an NBA-title run with the current roster, and it ensures he will be part of rebuilding the team with the Celtics’ Big Three getting up there in age.
Rivers’ contract was set to expire at the end of the year, but he had an option for next season.
When the Miami Heat eliminated the Celtics from the NBA playoffs, Rivers told reporters that he was leaning towards coming back to the team that he guided to an NBA Championship in 2008.
But it was unclear how long he wanted to continue his run in Boston. Until Friday.
“I think Doc is the best coach in the league. So it’s great for us,” Ainge said. “There’s nobody I’d rather have as my coach than Doc,” the Associated Press reported.
Rivers has 12 years of experience coaching in the NBA, with seven of those seasons coming with the Celtics.
He coached the Orlando Magic for five seasons before going to Boston in 2005.
When Ainge was able to bring Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett to the Celtics to join Paul Pierce, the team won 66 games in 2008 on their way to an NBA Championship.
