The NBA approved the trade of Boston Celtics coach to the Los Angeles Clippers, ESPN Boston reported Monday.
The Clippers are expected to sign Rivers to a three-year, $21 million contract. The Celtics will receive a 2015 first-round draft pick as compensation.
The deal was reported Sunday night but needed league approval.
Any trade between the two teams involving Celtics forward Kevin Garnett going to the Clippers must be put on hold to make sure the deals are completed separately. Teams cannot trade players and coaches in the same deal.
NBA commissioner David Stern said last week that any trade agreement between the Celtics and Clippers involving Garnett that is part of the Rivers deal violates league rules.
Rivers’ arrival in Los Angeles could be enough to convince point guard Chris Paul to re-sign with the team. He is set to be a free agent on July 1.
Rivers coached the Celtics for nine of his 14 seasons as an NBA coach. He spent one season of his playing career with the Clippers in 1991-92.