Austin Rivers to be traded to LA Clippers

LOS ANGELES  — A person familiar with the deal says Austin Rivers is coming to the Los Angeles Clippers, where the guard will play under his father and team coach Doc Rivers.

The person spoke on condition of anonymity Thursday because the team has not announced the trade, which also involves the Celtics and Suns. It is expected to be finalized later in the day.

The three teams involved have agreed to the deal that will send Rivers to LA, current Clipper Reggie Bullock to the Suns and two players to the Celtics — Phoenix center Shavlik Randolph and current Clipper Chris Douglas-Roberts.

The deal was first reported by ESPN.com.

The Celtics acquired Rivers on Monday as part of the three-way deal Boston struck last weekend with Memphis and New Orleans to send Jeff Green to the Grizzlies. But the Celtics never planned on keeping Rivers, one of a flurry of moves Boston has made in an effort to rebuild the team.

Rivers had been averaging 6.8 points, 2.5 assists and 1.9 rebounds for the Pelicans. As Clippers president of basketball operations, the elder Rivers had the authority to sign off on acquiring his 22-year-old son.

Last weekend, Doc Rivers had said he would be open to coaching Austin.

"I think a year ago I probably wouldn't," he said. "I think I would (now) for sure. I think this team could handle that."

Austin Rivers would become the first son to play for his father in the NBA. Coby Karl was briefly a member of the Nuggets in 2010 under father-coach George Karl, but he didn't play during a stint that coincided with his father being on leave for treatment of throat cancer.

Doc Rivers' other three grown children, Callie, Jeremiah and Spencer, frequently attend Clippers games.

Jonathan Bachman/Associated Press