According to SI.com's Ian Thomsen [1], Celtics head coach Doc Rivers is "preparing himself" for the possibility of not returning next season, but may not be the only one. According to Thomsen, team president Danny Ainge could be an option to fill the void left by Steve Kerr as GM of the Phoenix Suns. Ainge, in addition to playing for and coaching the Suns, lived in Arizona with his family before he took the front office job with the Celtics in 2003.
On the subject of Rivers, Thomsen writes that in a conversation between the two last week the Celtics coach got emotional when considering the thought of leaving Kevin Garnett. Asked if he would have a difficult time telling Garnett he would not be back, Rivers reacted as such, according to Thomsen:
"That's very difficult for me," said Rivers, pursing his lips and stiffening in his chair. He was trying hard to not cry. "Because Kevin is ... he's the best. So ... that's very true."
Ainge has been in the Celtics front office since 2003, while Rivers has been head coach since 2004. The Celtics have made two finals appearances under Ainge and Rivers, a championship victory in 2008 and a defeat in seven games this week, both vs. the Lakers.
Links:
[1] http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/writers/ian_thomsen/06/17/countdown.lakers.celtics/index.html
[2] http://www.weei.com/category/boston/celtics