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Who will replace Doc Rivers?

Vinny Del Negro could be a candidate to coach the Celtics. Danny Johnston/AP

With Doc Rivers’ nine-year run as Celtics coach over, the team must now search for a replacement. Here’s a look at some of the candidates the Celtics may consider:

George Karl: Recently fired by the Denver Nuggets, Karl was the NBA’s Coach of the Year but had a falling out with the team over his future and a contract extension.

Vinny Del Negro: A friend of Rivers, Del Negro could be in line to replace him. Del Negro has had tumultuous stints with the Bulls and Clippers, whom he coached last season.

Stan Van Gundy: Best known for his public feuding with Dwight Howard in Orlando, Van Gundy has had successful stints with the Heat and Magic, and he possesses both a sharp wit and a basketball mind. He has local ties, having coached UMass-Lowell from 1988-92.

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Jeff Van Gundy: Stan’s brother has a pretty good gig as ABC’s lead NBA analyst, and it’s a long shot that the more lucrative coaching profession could lure him back in.

Brian Shaw: Someone is going to give Shaw an NBA head coaching job at some point, right?

Lionel Hollins: The former Grizzlies coach did wonders with the likes of Tony Allen and Marc Gasol, turning Memphis into one of the best defensive teams in the league. That’s a philosophy that fits well with what Celtics president Danny Ainge is trying to do.

J.B. Bickerstaff: The architect of the Houston Rockets’ free-form offense, Bickerstaff could make the Celtics attractive to free agents, provided Kevin McHale would give him up.

David Fizdale: Hiring the assistant coach and director of player development for the Heat would be a shot across the bow of Boston’s biggest rival.

Nate McMillan: The former SuperSonics and Trail Blazers coach knows mercurial point guards from playing with Gary Payton, and he may have the discipline and defensive system to make a smooth transition.

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