The New Orleans Pelicans severed ties with point guard Austin Rivers over the weekend, as part of the three-team, five-player trade that sent Jeff Green to Memphis.
The Boston Celtics acquired rights to the 22-year old, but are expected to cut him loose.
Yahoo Sources: Within front office and coaching staff, officials pushing president/coach Doc Rivers to bring his son, Austin, to Clippers.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) January 10, 2015
Austin's 22, pending free agent. Clips searching for PG depth. Front office/ assistants telling Doc: Forget his last name. This makes sense.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) January 11, 2015
Yahoo Sources: LAC working to find third team to help deliver Boston expiring deal to go w/ second rounder that C's want for Austin Rivers.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) January 11, 2015
LA Clippers head coach and team president Doc Rivers says his team could use someone with Austin’s skillset.
Per the LA Times:
One potential sticking point for the Clippers is that they would need to send out roughly $1.8 million in salary to acquire Rivers, meaning they would have to trade at least one player in addition to a draft pick. […] One possibility would be reserve point guard Jordan Farmar ($2.1-million salary this season), though his player option for 2015-16 for the same amount and his season-long struggles would seem to make him an unattractive trade piece.
Doc Rivers said he would be open to coaching his son, who has averaged 6.8 points and 2.5 assists this season for the Pelicans.
“I think a year ago I probably wouldn’t,” Rivers said of being his son’s coach, “but I think I would for sure. I think this team could handle that. He’s a downhill guard, which is something we need, so I certainly would.”
