During a dark time of the Big Three era, prior to the start of the 2011-12 season, the Boston Celtics considered trading their problem child of a point guard Rajon Rondo for New Orleans Hornets prodigy Chris Paul, though the deal reportedly fell through due to Paul's refusal to commit to signing with the team once he became a free agent the following summer.
According to Ray Allen's new book: From the Outside: My Journey through Life and the Game I Love, the proposed trade fell through for a much different reason.
via Sean Deveney of The Sporting News:
“In the end, Doc (Rivers) decided he couldn’t do that to their coach, Monty Williams,” wrote Allen in his book, which will be due in stands in two weeks. “Doc was a mentor to Monty, having coached him in Orlando.”
Deals work and fall due to strange reasons, given the history of the league and the players, coaches, and executives who have intertwined careers over time.
Acquiring Paul would have represented a fresh start for Boston, and one more likely to yield immediate results, rather than sticking with Rondo for another three-and-a-half seasons.
Allen noted the following season was his most stressful in a Celtics uniform, with Rivers rewarding Rondo's rowdy behavior by basing the offense around him.
“My last (season) under contract, was the most stressful by far. It got to the point that Rondo would not even throw the ball to me.”
Rivers would ultimately get his wish years later, taking over the reins for Vinny Del Negro and coaching Paul in an L.A. Clippers uniform for four seasons.
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