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Kevin Garnett mulling assistant-coach offer from Cleveland Cavaliers

By The Sports Xchange
Atlanta Hawks' DeMarre Carroll (5) shoots around Brooklyn Nets' Kevin Garnett (2), Bojan Bogdanovic of Croatia (44) and Jarrett Jack (L) during the first half of an NBA game at Philips Arena in Atlanta, January 28, 2015. Photo by David Tulis/UPI
Atlanta Hawks' DeMarre Carroll (5) shoots around Brooklyn Nets' Kevin Garnett (2), Bojan Bogdanovic of Croatia (44) and Jarrett Jack (L) during the first half of an NBA game at Philips Arena in Atlanta, January 28, 2015. Photo by David Tulis/UPI | License Photo

Cavaliers coach Tyronn Lue said that recently retired Kevin Garnett is "back and forth" about accepting his offer to join the Cleveland coaching staff.

"I talked to him about it," Lue said, via ESPN, after Cavs practice Thursday. "I know his wife is pushing for it a lot. Brandi is pushing for it, trying to get him to come and coach. He says he's not ready yet. He goes back -- 'I might do it' -- but he's back and forth. We'll see. But I'd definitely make a spot for him if he wanted to come back and coach."

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Lue was an assistant coach on the Boston Celtics when the 40-year-old Garnett played there. Garnett called it quits last week after 21 NBA seasons.

"Didn't want to see him do it," Lue said of Garnett's retirement. "I thought he would've been the first player in NBA history to play in his teens, 20s, 30s and 40s. He just turned 40 in May. I just thought that would've been great for him."

Garnett was a 15-time All-Star, was named league MVP in 2004 and won a championship with the Celtics in 2008.

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In another twist, Garnett was seen at the practice of the Los Angeles Clippers, who are coached by former Boston coach Doc Rivers, on Thursday. Rivers reportedly wanted Garnett to join his team this season as a player before he announced his retirement.

"KG was phenomenal today," Rivers said, via ESPN, about Garnett's appearance Thursday. "This morning, before practice, he had a teaching clinic that you would pay a lot of money to see. It was great. It was great for Blake (Griffin) and (DeAndre Jordan) and the young guys as well. It's great to have him around. He's a great teacher. We know him as a great player. I knew him as a great teacher. He'll be really good for us."

Perhaps the Clippers are also trying to coax Garnett to join their coaching staff.

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