After battling an inflammed left ankle late in the season, Kevin Garnett will continue to rest it and will not have surgery.

The Boston Celtics' medical staff is confident rest will heal Garnett's ankle.

Danny Ainge recently said the Celtics are awaiting for final word from Garnett about whether he will return for next season.

Mike Zarren turned down an offer to become general manager of the Philadelphia 76ers, two league sources said Thursday.

Zarren has served as the Celtics’ assistant general manager and team counsel for the past few years.

Danny Ainge hired Zarren as an unpaid intern in 2003.

"I don’t know all the details, but I know there was strong interest in Mike from Philly," said Ainge. "I don’t know why (he turned it down). You'll have to ask him."

Doc Rivers will remain as head coach of the Boston Celtics next season, his 10th with the franchise.

"Yeah (he'll be back), Doc and I are talking about our team next year," Danny Ainge said. "(No suspense) from my perspective. We've got a great coach. We've got a coach everybody would love to have and he's got three years left on his contract and I think Doc likes Boston, too.Coaches get tired, though. It's a hard job.

"You guys are the only one (who made it an issue)."

Rivers signed a five-year extension two years ago, but left open the possibility of stepping down following the Celtics' elimination in the playoffs.

The Toronto Raptors have requested permission to interview Tyronn Lue for a position on Dwane Casey's coaching staff.

Lue has been an assistant coach with the Boston Celtics since 2009.

Danny Ainge expects Doc Rivers and Kevin Garnett to be back with the Boston Celtics next season.

"Doc is always unsure [about his future]," Ainge said. "Coaching is very, very draining. Every year with Doc, he's had to go home and sort of recharge and ask himself that question, 'Is this something that I'm passionate about and want to continue doing?' I understand that. And we sorta give him time to unwind and relax, and after a couple of 92s on the golf course, he usually comes back."

Ainge is equally optimistic about Garnett, who has one year remaining on his contract after next season.

"I do the same thing as I do with Doc: I give him some time away and I'll touch base with KG probably sometime next week," Ainge said. "He's put so much into the game, he invests as much as any player I've ever seen. And he just needs time to chill and contemplate his life and then we'll talk at some future time. But I do anticipate that KG will play. Just like I did last year, I feel the same this year. I don't know for sure, but we'll know more in the next couple weeks."

The Phoenix Suns have hired Ryan McDonough as general manager.

McDonough will replace Lance Blanks and will report to Lon Babby.

McDonough most recently was assistant general manager of the Boston Celtics.

McDonough joined the Celtics in 2003 as a 23-year-old special assistant to basketball operations.

McDonough is the son of the late renowned Boston Globe columnist Will McDonough, and the brother of ESPN broadcaster Sean and NFL player personnel executive Terry.

Stephen A. Smith of ESPN reports that the Los Angeles Clippers and Boston Celtics could execute a trade of Blake Griffin, Eric Bledsoe and Caron Butler for Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett.

"Absurd," said one source from the Celtics to Greg Dickerson of Comcast in response to the story.

Smith also reports that Doc Rivers could go with Pierce and Garnett to the Clippers.

"It is already being talked about in NBA circles," said Smith. 

Smith wouldn't answer definitively if it is actually being discussed between the two teams.

Kevin Garnett may undergo offseason surgery to shave down bone spurs in his ankles, according to sources affiliated with the Boston Celtics.

Two of Garnett’s teammates privately speculated he is considering retirement.

"I have no clue," Doc Rivers admitted. "I was positive last year [he was coming back]. I'm not as sure this year."

Paul Pierce plans to play next season, and it seems as though it won't matter if he's still with the Boston Celtics.

"That's up to Danny [Ainge] and them," Pierce said when asked if he expects to be with the Celtics in 2013-14.

"I definitely expect to be playing," he added, alluding that he'd consider continuing his career with another team.

There are questions surrounding the Celtics heading into the summer. Ainge will have to decide whether to begin a rebuilding project or try and bring the current core back for another run.

"I've been here 15 years, and I've seen a lot of changes every year," Pierce reflected.

Kevin Garnett, who isn't a lock to return to the Celtics next season, doesn't believe the team can contend as currently constructed.

"No, I think we need some additions," Garnett said. "That's obvious. Health hit us pretty hard this year, and I'm sure we're going to address that."

A lot of what Danny Ainge does this summer will rely on whether or not Garnett decides to return.

Boston has nearly $74 million committed to 12 players for 2013-14.