NBA

Talks should continue on Thursday as the Clippers hope to keep Chris Paul happy this summer. Landing Rivers (and Garnett) would be a big step in the right direction, but it's anyone's guess as to whether or not Donald Sterling will be able to pull it off.

Details are sketchy but it's become apparent that the Clippers need to find a way to get Doc Rivers in as head coach, or Chris Paul is not going to be happy. The last time we heard details about this deal it included DeAndre Jordan and two first-round picks for Kevin Garnett and Rivers. Stay tuned.

Sloan reportedly was "rubbing shoulders with Jazz management" more often as of early June, and will likely end up consulting GM Dennis Lindsey.

Just when we think we're out, the Clippers pull us back in -- or something like that. Paul is slated for unrestricted free agency and is clearly driving the bus that is the team's head coaching search. The last time the two sides talked, the deal was DeAndre Jordan and two first-round picks for Kevin Garnett and Doc Rivers, but the Clippers believed the price was too high and backed out. Wojnarowski reports that money is not the issue but rather the Clippers are hesitant to give up two first-round picks. That said, we find it hard to believe the Clippers would risk not getting the head coach they and Paul want and/or upsetting Paul simply to keep a first-round pick.

This follows with what we've heard previously reported about Rivers' desires. According to ESPN, Ainge made it clear the Celtics still prefer Rivers to return as coach, but the coach was undecided on whether to return to a team that may have to rebuild. Perhaps not coincidentally, league sources told Yahoo! Sports that Chris Paul pushed the Clippers to re-engage trade talks with the Celtics, which they did Wednesday afternoon. Yahoo! reports Rivers is Paul's preferred choice as coach next season and the Clippers are clearly concerned about the pending free agent's desires. We'll have to wait and see how this plays out.

Gregg Popovich subbed Duncan out on the prior possession for defensive reasons, which is another discussion entirely. After Ray Allen hit a 3-pointer to tie the game, Popovich put Duncan back on the floor while the referees reviewed the play. Duncan eventually inbounded the play to Tony Parker, who eventually ended regulation with an airball on a fadeaway runner. The problem is the Spurs didn't have timeout and the NBA ruled today that Duncan shouldn't have been allowed back on the court. If Parker had made that shot, there likely would've been utter chaos, including a formal protest by the Heat. The teams may have even needed to replay that possession with 5.2 seconds left on the clock and Duncan off the court at some point Wednesday. So, in the end, let's just be happy Parker missed that shot and we don't have to process all the absurd possibilities that would've resulted had he made it.

There has been talk that Howard and pending UFA Chris Paul would like to team up, but Bryant believes both players will re-sign in the end. Bryant said he talked to Howard a couple weeks ago but will "touch base a lot more" in the coming weeks before free agency. Despite the rumored angst between Bryant and Howard, it's clear Kobe knows how valuable a player like Howard can be when healthy and would prefer to play with him than against him next season. It remains to be seen if Howard feels the same way.