Austin Rivers watch

[mj_shoefanatic]

Looks like Austin will be staying with us for peanuts. Maybe his father will promise to pay him more next offseason

[madmaxmedia]

If someone actually offered him full MLE, then best of luck to him. But I doubt it will happen.

He has genuine NBA athleticism, but not refined enough. He got a lot of shots to fall in those big playoff games, they were makeable shots so not pure luck, but you're just not going to hit such a high percentage of them over the long run. If he could develop a deadeye jumper then he could be a great backup scorer.

I would like to keep him at a lower number, but ironically father Doc Rivers doesn't like to develop young players.

[wco81]

His playoff shooting percentages were decent but not very high:

http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/6617/austin-rivers

I believe 35% from 3-point range is about average. So if he can shoot around 45% and 37-38%, he'd be pretty effective.

Of course his career numbers are well below that so he'd have to improve a lot.

He's kind of a tweener, not really big enough for a 2, maybe not quick enough to be a dedicated 1. His assist to turnover numbers are not good.

Quite a come down because he must have been one of the most highly-recruited player out of high school, leaves after just one year at NC and is a low lottery pick and the team that drafts him bails early on him.

Well if it doesn't work out, he can be an assistant coach on his father's staff, if Doc is still coaching.

[Ranma]

Quite a come down because he must have been one of the most highly-recruited player out of high school, leaves after just one year at NC and is a low lottery pick and the team that drafts him bails early on him.

Junior Rivers actually went to Duke:

[wco81]

Ah yes, mixed those up.

Probably could have stayed there another year.

[Ranma]

I agree. He definitely needed more work and discipline in his game under the tutelage of Coach K, but his headstrong nature couldn't absorb those valuable lessons, so believing in his own prep hype, he left school for the draft. It's his own fault that he's an unfinished product, which is exactly why he's undeserving of a long-term contract.

[TheNewEra]

Any update on this status.

[nickhx2]

not that i've heard of but we better work quick to make it happen.

of course jameer nelson's still out there but i doubt he comes for the minimum.

[madmaxmedia]

His playoff shooting percentages were decent but not very high:

http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/6617/austin-rivers

I believe 35% from 3-point range is about average. So if he can shoot around 45% and 37-38%, he'd be pretty effective.

Of course his career numbers are well below that so he'd have to improve a lot.

IIRC he had some hot games earlier (with resulting high usage), but then started coming back down to earth. So I'm not surprised his playoff numbers were better than career numbers.

He'd probably dominate on a playground though. Kind of like a poor man's Zach Levine?

[Ranma]

[tweet]https://twitter.com/ShamsCharania/status/619556862392946690[/tweet]
[tweet]https://twitter.com/ArashMarkazi/status/619556875730857985[/tweet]
[tweet]https://twitter.com/AlexKennedyNBA/status/619557785764786176[/tweet]
[tweet]https://twitter.com/LarryCoon/status/619563430970654721[/tweet]

[thanumba2clippersfan]

So if he's coming back we're not looking for a backup PG then

[Ranma]

So if he's coming back we're not looking for a backup PG then

I still think the team could use a more traditional backup PG, but now will not be pressured to offer anything more than the vet minimum.

[TucsonClip]

So if he's coming back we're not looking for a backup PG then

Nope, but we'll definitely look for a 3rd PG who is capable of playing back up minutes if needed.

[thanumba2clippersfan]

So if he's coming back we're not looking for a backup PG then

I still think the team could use a more traditional backup PG, but now will not be pressured to offer anything more than the vet minimum.

Pretty much, I feel like we should have 3 PGs on the roster and Austin isn't really a PG. You said it though, we'll look for some PG that will sign for the minimum.

[wco81]

Heard that Clippers are able to offer up to $3.1 million which is the amount he would have gotten under the contract he originally signed with New Orleans.

Whether that's his market value or not is another matter.

[mj_shoefanatic]

Guess we found CP's backup

[Ranma]

I'm crossing my fingers that Doc will take a page out of Olshey's playbook this offseason and give Junior Rivers a short-term contract with decreasing salary in subsequent years to lower the future cap hit. I'd be fine with giving him $3.1 for the upcoming season but he would have to have a lower "allowance" in every season thereafter. This would make him a more attractive trade asset as either cap filler or provide incentive for him to opt out depending on whether the option year(s) is/are player or team activated. It's probably too much to ask from Doc, but come on, his son is not exactly a solid piece with teams clamoring for his services at a premium price.

[nickhx2]

Heard that Clippers are able to offer up to $3.1 million which is the amount he would have gotten under the contract he originally signed with New Orleans.

Whether that's his market value or not is another matter.

yes. he can be paid up to $3.1M. this is via his limited bird rights and does not affect our cap situation. basically a free 3.1m to spend on rivers.

[Lindecision]

Was always gonna happen. If things go according to plan Lance will dominate the ball anyway.

And Nate Wolters has looked good in summer league apparently.

[TdotRap4Lyfe]

Would this count as a conflict of interest? Choosing to re-sign Junior Rivers, over looking for a proven backup PG?