The Los Angeles Clippers and the Boston Celtics have formally opened serious discussions on multiple transactions that potentially could add up to a seismic trade arrangement that ultimately lands Celtics stars Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce and coach Doc Rivers in L.A., according to sources close to the process.

Sources told ESPN.com the Clippers are concurrently weighing the prospect of offering star forward Blake Griffin in tandem with prized young guard Eric Bledsoe to the Los Angeles Lakers in a sign-and-trade pitch to land Dwight Howard after July 1.

The initial talks with Boston, sources said Saturday, are focused on the Clippers satisfying Boston's compensation demands to let Rivers out of his lucrative contract and corresponding trade proposals aimed at bringing Garnett to town with Rivers.

The Clippers, sources said, are willing to surrender cash and multiple draft picks to secure Rivers' services and offer young center DeAndre Jordan as the primary piece in a deal in exchange for Garnett.

But sources said Saturday the Clippers, at present, are refusing to include the highly coveted Bledsoe with Jordan in the same trade in hopes of keeping Bledsoe for a separate transaction.

Sources say the Clippers want to keep open the option that they could package Bledsoe with Griffin in a sign-and-trade offer for Howard after the Lakers' center becomes a free agent on July 1. ESPN The Magazine's Chris Broussard reported Friday that Howard and Clippers star Chris Paul have been in consistent contact in recent weeks in hopes of landing on the same team via free agency.

The Clippers, furthermore, also have made Bledsoe their centerpiece of recent trade discussions with the Orlando Magic aimed at acquiring swingman Arron Afflalo.

All of these potential transactions, sources say, are part of the Clippers' intent, as reported Thursday by ESPN.com, to be "very aggressive" and "shake every tree" in an attempt to upgrade the roster to the point that Paul not only re-signs when he becomes a free agent on July 1 but that they are an unquestioned championship contender.

In the wake of ESPN.com's report earlier this week that Rivers and the Clippers have mutual interest in the event the Celtics' coach parts ways with Boston, sources say the Clippers are determined to try to acquire both Garnett and Pierce if Rivers indeed became available.

The Boston Herald reported on its web site Saturday afternoon that the two teams are "now engaged in talks involving Doc Rivers and players" and -- while acknowledging that many hurdles must be cleared -- also cited "significant impetus from both sides to find common ground."