There’s a real possibility that Austin Rivers might be joining his father with the Clippers, reports Ben Bolch of The Los Angeles Times. “I think this team could handle that,” said L.A. coach Doc Rivers. “He’s a downhill guard, which is something we need.” Austin Rivers is likely to be dealt from New Orleans to Boston in a three-team trade on Monday. The Celtics are rumored to be moving him after the deal, and the Clippers have emerged as a potential landing spot. One obstacle is compensation, as Los Angeles would have to give up approximately $1.8MM in a deal for Rivers. A possibility is guard Jordan Farmar, who makes $2.1MM this year. But he has a player option for the same amount next season, and the Celtics are reluctant to accept any salary beyond this year.
There’s more from the Pacific Division:
- The Clippers had interest in Boston’s Jeff Green but decided the price was too high, according to Dan Woike of The Orange County Register. He reports that L.A. could have gotten Green for Matt Barnes, Jamal Crawford and a first round pick, probably in 2019, but the Clippers didn’t want to part with that much. Instead, Green appears headed to Memphis as part of the Rivers deal.
- When Brandan Wright joined his new Suns teammates in Memphis Saturday, he talked like he plans to stay a long time, reports Paul Coro of The Arizona Republic. Wright, who has an expiring $5MM contract, was traded from Boston to Phoenix on Friday. “Everyone on this team is still growing,” he said. “This thing is going in the right direction. It’s a great fit for me and this is a place I can thrive at.”
- The Warriors are going to have to accept the luxury tax as part of the price of success, opines Tim Kawakami of The Bay Area News Group. Golden State has the best record in the NBA, but keeping its current roster together will be costly. In line for the biggest raise is Draymond Green, who is making just $915,243 this season and is headed toward restricted free agency this summer.