Veteran guard Austin Rivers officially became a free agent on Thursday after being released by the Suns earlier this week, and is now eligible to sign with any team except the Wizards.
While Rivers has heard from multiple teams interested in adding him, he plans to take his time choosing his new club, according to Keith Smith of Yahoo Sports, who tweets that Rivers would like to join a playoff contender willing to give him regular minutes.
The Grizzlies are one team that could fit that bill, and it briefly appeared that Rivers had lined up a deal with Memphis on Tuesday. However, that report was shot down, with Chris Herrington of The Daily Memphian indicating that the Grizzlies discussed the idea of signing the 26-year-old, but opted not to move forward and finalize a deal.
After enjoying a career year in Los Angeles last season for the Clippers, with 15.1 PPG, 4.0 APG, and a .378 3PT% in 61 games (33.7 MPG), Rivers has struggled so far in 2018/19. In 29 games (23.6 MPG) with the Wizards, the former Duke Blue Devil posted 7.2 PPG and 2.0 APG with a .392/.311/.543 shooting line.
This season’s struggles may limit Rivers’ appeal to some extent, but based on Smith’s report, it sounds as if he has at least a few potential suitors. Shams Charania of The Athletic also said earlier this week that four or five teams had interest in Rivers, though he has since deleted that tweet.
Back to the Clippers or Pelicans maybe?
*team not found*
lol!
Isn’t every free agent?
What, because he’s so good and has a track record of winning?! Man, I hope the league do something about the buyout culture. Why not play for the Suns if you’re so good? Help lift them into contention. A team that’s already good has no need of your minutes.
He is a bum, if he wants minutes in a playoff team he might need to look into playing in Israel or China
Magic?
There is no way he ends up in Houston right? Even though they could use him with the CP injury…..I think it will be NOP, ORL, MEM or a dark horse team like POR
POR!– a taxpayer who already has their own Rivers, Evan Turner.
I guess if he gets injured… Wade Baldwin is not getting PT… hmm.
POR’s plan is for Turner to run the second unit, but he is 5th in minutes, as they don’t have a clear 5th starter with injury to SF Harkless. Rivers’ main competition would be them, Stauskas or Jake Layman.
Okay then.
He’s a useful player. No idea why he gets so much hate.
He’s useful, but isn’t in possession of the winning record or talent level to dictate the terms of his opportunity. Success can be as much about luck as it is talent, with that in mind he should be grateful for his chance to play in the league.
He’s an NBA player for sure, but is fairly deep on most benches.
Philly pick up the phone asap, we need guard help especially on the defensive side, plus he can create his own shot
Does he also want a personal chef and masseuse? Like c’mon he’s an average role player at best… not a superstar that can be “taking his time” to find ‘regular time’ on a ‘playoff contender’ — if the teams a legit playoff contender they probably don’t need a mediocre role player… if they’re willing to give him “regular time” then well, they’re probably not a playoff contender. Other than a team with an unexpected injury… he should be happy just to get a spot in ANY team’s rotation. But hey if he is somehow able to dictate his terms like this and it works out… hats off to him. Good luck, I think he’s going to need it!