Doc Rivers Claims He Never Rejected Carmelo Anthony for Austin Rivers

Feb 1, 2017; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Los Angeles Clippers head coach Doc Rivers and guard Austin Rivers (25) against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 1, 2017; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Los Angeles Clippers head coach Doc Rivers and guard Austin Rivers (25) against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Doc Rivers was approached by TMZ after the LA Clippers traded Chris Paul. He addressed rumors surrounding Austin Rivers and trades.

When trades happen, all the dirty laundry starts to come out. Things were no different once reports of the LA Clippers and Houston Rockets trade came out. Zach Lowe, among others, reported on tension in the Clippers’ locker room. According to multiple sources, Chris Paul and Doc Rivers did not see eye to eye on many things. The supposed biggest issue? Doc’s overconfidence in his son, Austin Rivers.

Amid the speculation yesterday about Doc Rivers and Chris Paul’s relationship was a rumor that Doc turned down a trade. The supposed trade would have brought Carmelo Anthony for Austin Rivers and a few other pieces. However, this trade never manifested, CP3 apparently got fed up and moved onto Houston.

However, yesterday, TMZ approached a scruffy looking Doc and asked him about the CP3 trade and the supposed Carmelo deal. Doc’s response?

He didn’t.

Doc also claims that Chris didn’t leave the organization on bad terms, which seems evident since he supposedly helped the Clippers bring in something instead of just bolting to Houston.

Austin Rivers also took to Twitter yesterday to address the rumors. He apparently agrees with Doc’s sentiments.

There surely will be a lot more reports and rumors on exactly what went down in the Clips’ locker room. We may never know what the truth is regarding the departure of Paul. However, Clipper Nation will just have to refocus on Blake Griffin and await his decision.

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