Sources tell ESPN it's been communicated to Celts & Clips that league has questions about proposed deals and appearance they are connected
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) June 20, 2013
NBA rules prohibit any trade/signing being made w/contingencies or side deals. Can Celts & Clips prove Doc & KG deals are "separate" moves?
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) June 20, 2013
So do you get around this roadblock? According to SBNation's Scott Schroeder, here is how you do it:
That deal sounds fairly reasonable, but it's apparently illegal by NBA standards due to the fact that Rivers can't technically be involved in the trade. To get around that, the Celtics are asking the Clippers to include the first-round picks in exchange for Boston releasing Rivers from his current contract -- the "contingency" that is illegal under NBA rules.