7:15pm: The second and third years of Rivers’ new deal will be non-guaranteed, sources tell Ian Begley of SNY.tv (Twitter link).
6:23pm: Following up on his initial report, Wojnarowski says (via Twitter) that Rivers will actually get a three-year deal from the Knicks. It’ll be worth $10MM, Woj adds.
5:08pm: The Knicks have agreed to add free agent combo guard Austin Rivers to their rotation on a one-year deal, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN (Twitter link). Mike Vorkunov of The Athletic (via Twitter) observes that this brings New York to 15 total roster spots, including another new addition, center Ed Davis.
Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau has long been a fan of Rivers, according to Frank Isola of ESPN (Twitter link). Selected by the Pelicans with the 10th pick out of Duke in 2012, the 6’3″ Rivers has developed into a solid reserve scoring guard.
He also had stops with the Clippers and Wizards, before turning in memorable performances on competitive Rockets teams during parts of the last two seasons. In 68 games for the Rockets last season, Rivers added 8.8 PPG, 2.6 RPG, and 1.7 APG. He had a respectable shooting line of .421/.356/.703.
According to Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News (Twitter link), Rivers is one of eight players with ties to either CAA or the University of Kentucky added by new Knicks GM Leon Rose via draft, trade or free agency.
Odd signing for team and player.
So much for all the speculation of him joining his dad in Philly.
Just shows that Doc prefers his son-in-law Seth Curry over his natural son. Can you say awkward Thanksgiving?
When doc had his son on the Clippers the team didn’t like it – too much favoritism so he dealt him to Houston.
I think clippers or lakers could have use his services more.
Definitely Clippers, another one who got away.
Joining the Knicks can be career suicide. They’re just throwing 5 ms at these guys for a 1 year rental.
All the best free agents are gone. They’ll keep doing this every year till they can get their max 2 free agents or their draft picks become superstars. If any of these rentals perform well during the season, they can be flipped for extra picks. Not a terrible strategy.
I didnt say anything about the organization. Of course what the Knicks are doing is smart. I was talking about the players.
If it’s a one year rental, how would it be ‘career suicide’? He’ll be a free agent again next year. And given how terrible the Knicks are, he’ll probably get more playing time than if he signed elsewhere.
@rct Lol Lucky is using hoopsrumors logic, you must be new here!
Because I have seen alot of vets that go to these teams put up big numbers and next year they’re on the minimum on a playoff team trying to reprove themselves.
Just put up empty stats and you can land on a contender at the deadline like Marcus Morris did.
Well I am glad the Sixers are no longer in the running for Rivers.
So maybe they can trade for Dennis Smith, Jr.?
Would love to see that!
You would rather have DSJ? Why? Rivers could at least get 10 (on the right night 20-24) minutes a night. I would rather take a stab at Galloway or Reggie Jackson than Smith. I think smith can still be good/decent just not sure how he would earn minutes in our rotation.
@Philly
He has mad athleticism
If he hadn’t gotten hurt, I gotta believe he would be further along
I am just a fan and would like to see him in a Sixer Uniform
He should be cheap now, because I don’t think the Knicks need him, much less want him
Have you not been watching DSJ? He is atrocious and a definite step down from even Rivers. DSJ simply cannot shoot.
@rct
He hasn’t developed like one hoped, but I would take a flier on him
Have you been watching him. He hasn’t played. No ones been watching him. He had issues with his shot from an elbow injury. So they said. Then it was the hamstring injury. Then it was death in family. I think he just can’t handle NYC. Not everyone can. He would be better off in a small market. Unfortunately if he doesn’t up his value here. We won’t get much in a trade. He will be first player traded with Randle.
Oh I like(d) him as well and had interest in drafting him at 3 before we traded up for Markell. I still think he has some upside…but with Ben/Seth/Tyrese/Shake this would be a horrible opportunity for him, because there would be no opportunity…but I am not bashing him and still have hopes that he will develop.
Funny 2 years back he cries to leave Phoenix cause he wants to compete and now he goes to an even worse situation…Guess $$$ talks
Not a good signing. He’s too high maintenance for the Knicks right now. Hopefully its for minimum.
Doesn’t make sense to sign with the Knicks if it’s only for the minimum.
It doesn’t make sense for the Knicks regardless. But at least he’ll be easier to dump if he’s making minimum.
He only made 2.4 mill with Rockets. Probably getting 3-3.5 mill for one yr.
Guess it’s not all just who you know..
Good move. They can use the veteran presence. They aren’t going anywhere anyway. Maybe at the trade deadline someone has an injury and you trade him for something. Low salary makes him movable.
Sixers to trade Tony Bradley away for a Knicks guard, DSJ or Rivers or even Ntilikina??
At least they won’t be as bad as Houston this year after Houston rockets Russ and the Bears outta town.
Rockets will easily win twice as many games, possibly 3 times what NY will.
Once again you’re wrong.
A little crowded in the pg spot. Dsj, Frank, Payton and rivers
They’re all awful, too.
Oh wow another Big Stud Free Agent signing for the Knicks since everyone is clamoring to go there.
Austin is still a much better player than most of what the Knicks currently have.
So he will save the Knicks now???
Rivers can now offer thanks to the Knicks for giving him 3 years.
I doubt any of you know much about Knicks. This is Thibs team now. They will evaluate what they got and go from there. Rivers seems like a vet backup. Cause they are probably moving one or two of their guards. All players on one yr contracts are easy to move. It’s how you get a contract others can’t handle or don’t want. It’s a long yr. Randle, Smith, Payton, all will be moved. All one yr contracts can always be part of trades. Knox and Nttilikina are two who will be given a chance to stay. But they could be moved too. Only Toppin, RJ, Mitch, Quickly, Braz are the building blocks. And who they can trade for or sign next yr FA. We have two #1 picks and two 2nd rd picks. So we can make a deal at deadline. Knicks are actually rebuilding the right way. Cause so far the owner has stayed away. Thibs will build a playoff team sooner than you think.
Well said. Thibs is the guard whisperer, saved several vets careers – he will get one or more of those 4 to play above their skills. That will enable some deadline trades to acquire more assets from teams on the playoff bubble or with injured guards.
I like this signing, and cheap. Good 3pt shooter with decent handle. Good 4th/5th depth guard.
You know, I would think that Rivers was worth more? This seems like a great steal for a player like this. That’s just my perception from watching him. I didn’t like him with the clippers, but on the Rockets he was pretty good. He goes 100% I think he really is intense and is a winner. Seems like a cheap sign and good deal for the Knicks? Maybe because his shooting numbers aren’t that great?
He’s also one of the worst defenders in the league. But, other shooting and defense, he’s a player.
Gotcha.
To be fair, on the Clippers, their star players didn’t get as much focus from defenses as the stars on Houston, so he was freed up more in Houston. There are no stars to focus on the Knicks, so I wouldn’t expect much from Rivers.
Austin Rivers is one of the worst defenders in the league?
You don’t follow the NBA very closely, do you??
Who are you talking to.., me? I don’t use the app on the cell phone, so all the answers are directly below in order. And all the guys that have responded right here obviously follow basketball based on their comments over the last few years that I’ve read. So you’re probably talking about me.
Are you really trying to create one more dude then goes after you after all your comments? I’m usually pretty supportive of your statements because I think you just keep to yourself and you trumpet on the Rockets, which is fine, no problem. If you’re going to ask me, do I follow the NBA, I find that a little offensive.
I actually do, but apparently you don’t. Or don’t with any acumen. He’s a traffic cone. Pretty obvious, but if you don’t see it, then use metrics. Or just stay delusional.
DXC@ I said “gotcha,” like okay thanks for clueing me in. So now I’m delusional? Wow.
Gary – That wasn’t for you. I was responding to h-w-mvp, as I thought his post was intended for me. You and I are good (at least from my end).
Absolutely brother. Love your posts, you always know what you’re talking about… Good basketball opinions. Thanks !!
Looking back later, I think you’re right. He was answering you and not me. So hard to tell what the cell phone website.
I love it how I was easily agitated, right? I’m so sensitive sometimes…
Not a big fan but maybe if he plays good he can be flipped in the deadline for a low first round pick or second rounders. At least he is only guaranteed one year.
I am starting to get the idea that FA don’t want to come to NY either because of the owner or the losing seasons or both. So we are forced to sign bench players who will contribute but will not make an impact or place fear in the heart of the rest of the NBA.
We may have to rebuild through the draft and hopefully at least 1-2 players can be a franchise changers in the next 2-3 years. When we start winning then the right FA will come onboard hopefully.
As far as Rivers if we are not trading anyone then we are creating a logjam in the guard spot and may not provide ample minutes for some of the younger players. We currently have
Payton nitika, DSJ, Myles Powell as PG (4)
Barrett, Burks, Qiiggley, Rivers(4) as SG or combo guards. I like Dotson but he doesn’t seem to be in the plans and then k believe there is Hared Harper.
The focus now. Should be on a SF. Package at least 2 of the aforementioned guards and maybe one of those 2023 picks or 2021 pick for bojanowic.
Something else may happen before the FA deadline expires.
Smart move. Rivers is a professional and he plays some defense. Will be a good role player.