Rumor: 76ers could trade Doc Rivers to Lakers, replace him with Mike D’Antoni
One of the big holdups with Doc Rivers’ future in Philadelphia has been his lengthy contract, and it appears the 76ers could have an out.
According to Gery Woelfel, rumors are circulating that the Los Angeles Lakers could trade for Doc Rivers, and the 76ers would then hire Mike D’Antoni to replace him. The Lakers would be sending draft compensation in exchange.
Trading head coaches in the NBA has happened but is quite rare. The last instance of this was also Doc Rivers, who was sent from Boston to the Los Angeles Clippers for a 2015 first-round pick in 2013.
This move would allow the 76ers to move on from Rivers without having to eat the remainder of his contract, which has three years and $24 million remaining. The earliest first LA can send is their 2027 first, which has high value since LeBron will be 42 at that point and the team will be in the midst of a rebuild.
Los Angeles is in the process of hiring its next head coach, with Terry Stotts and Kenny Atkinson amongst the finalists. D’Antoni has long been rumored to take over for Rivers, reuniting him with Daryl Morey and James Harden.
Update:
According to Michael K-B, the Sixers don’t appear to be interested in moving on from Rivers in the near future.
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