NBA notes: Clippers pursuing deal for Celtics' Garnett, Rivers

The Los Angeles Clippers and Boston Celtics are engaged in discussions about a deal that would send forward Kevin Garnett to the Clippers and give them the right to hire Celtics coach Doc Rivers, a person with knowledge of the situation confirmed to USA Today.

The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because of the private nature of the talks. The person said they are willing to give up two first-round draft picks and young center DeAndre Jordan in exchange for Garnett and Rivers' rights.

The Clippers' unwillingness to give up third-year point guard Eric Bledsoe could be a dealbreaker. They fear that they would be compromising their future by giving him up and are currently contemplating using him in a sign-and-trade that could involve forward Blake Griffin and land Lakers center and free-agent-to-be Dwight Howard.

Garnett has a no-trade clause, but is expected to waive it for the chance to join Clippers point guard and free-agent-to-be Chris Paul in Los Angeles. It's expected that Paul would re-sign, of course, and attempt to win his first championship with the Celtics core that last won it all in 2007.

The Clippers' pursuit of Celtics small forward Paul Pierce is not believed to be part of the trade talks, as the more likely approach is that they would anticipate Boston utilizing the $5 million buyout option on the final year of his contract for next season (he's owed $15.3 million) and then sign him as a free agent.

Rivers has three years and $21 million left on his contract, but he's looking to remain part of a title-contending team rather than take part in a Celtics rebuild.

Kings to hire Nuggets exec as new GM

The Sacramento Kings have an agreement in principle to make Denver Nuggets vice president of basketball operations Pete D'Alessandro their new general manager, two people with knowledge of the situation confirmed to USA Today.

They spoke on the condition of anonymity because the deal has not been announced publicly. An announcement is expected Monday.

The Kings were bought by Silicon Valley software magnate Vivek Ranadive last month and he made the decision shortly thereafter to part ways with longtime general manager Geoff Petrie.

D'Alessandro is considered one of the best minds in the game when it comes to salary cap management.