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Just got bought out by the Suns

Sign him

https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/r/riverau01.html

35% from 3 career average

Talk about it, go!

Has a connection to Blake from playing in LA... not sure if its positive or not. I don't think he makes sense for us unless we cut Calderon loose. Can't really have 4 PGs and other guys who can play point on the roster all at once I don't think.

We would probably have to pay our only 2nd round pick to dump Ellenson somewhere.

Soft pass. But I could probably be talked into it given the cost. I hope he goes to Orlando though to take them out of Fultz interest for ROS.

Rivers isn't really a pg. He's a sg in a combo guard body. Signing him only makes sense if Luke is on the way out.

He is Langston Galloway with a bigger ego. Bullock, Luke, Stanley, Langston, GRIII are fine. A starting (or developing) PG should be the absolute focus unless we're magically gifted CJ or Beal.

Do we really need another mediocre wing to throw in with the glut we've already got?

STRONG PASS. I already cant stand a lot of players on this team. Bring in Rivers and I don't think i'll watch another game.

BDM22 wrote:He is Langston Galloway with a bigger ego. Bullock, Luke, Stanley, Langston, GRIII are fine. A starting (or developing) PG should be the absolute focus unless we're magically gifted CJ or Beal.

Do we really need another mediocre wing to throw in with the glut we've already got?

We don't need another mediocre wing, but good lord.... our current group isn't "fine". We arguably have the worst starting wings in the league to pair with out bottom 5 pg.

Billl wrote:

BDM22 wrote:He is Langston Galloway with a bigger ego. Bullock, Luke, Stanley, Langston, GRIII are fine. A starting (or developing) PG should be the absolute focus unless we're magically gifted CJ or Beal.

Do we really need another mediocre wing to throw in with the glut we've already got?

We don't need another mediocre wing, but good lord.... our current group isn't "fine". We arguably have the worst starting wings in the league to pair with out bottom 5 pg.

I'm speaking relative to Austin Rivers. Obviously we basically need a franchise type of player somewhere in the 1-3 slots to become relevant. That is NOT Austin Rivers. If we had a top-10 type of PG I think we'd be OK with Luke and Bullock at the 2/3 to stretch the floor.

That's why I still think PG is the biggest priority. We're playing freaking Jose Calderon big minutes.

I'll leave this here...

https://www.basketball-reference.com/play-index/pcm_finder.fcgi?request=1&sum=0&player_id1_hint=Austin+Rivers&player_id1_select=Austin+Rivers&player_id1=riverau01&y1=2019&player_id2_hint=Luke+Kennard&player_id2_select=Luke+Kennard&y2=2019&player_id2=kennalu01&idx=players&player_id3_hint=Langston+Galloway&player_id3_select=Langston+Galloway&y3=2019&player_id3=gallola01&idx=players#stats-per_minute::none

Only way I'd be for this is A] Griffin signs off on Rivers as a teammate and B]It opens us up to deal Ish Smith and his expiring contract for help elsewhere.

If Austin wanted to sign here, it's a free asset for the ROS. He's more a 2-guard, but with Griffin being so ball dominant he could play the point here I think. Also I read elsewhere that his catch and shoot numbers are decent this season. Trading Ish could get us a similar expiring and a couple second rounders maybe.

BDM22 wrote:I'll leave this here...

https://www.basketball-reference.com/play-index/pcm_finder.fcgi?request=1&sum=0&player_id1_hint=Austin+Rivers&player_id1_select=Austin+Rivers&player_id1=riverau01&y1=2019&player_id2_hint=Luke+Kennard&player_id2_select=Luke+Kennard&y2=2019&player_id2=kennalu01&idx=players&player_id3_hint=Langston+Galloway&player_id3_select=Langston+Galloway&y3=2019&player_id3=gallola01&idx=players#stats-per_minute::none

Can you do that with last years numbers? Washington is a dumpster fire this season.

Rivers would be useful if we plan to make a move that involes Ish and our first round pick.

He doesn't move the needle... no.

I dont think i can take Rivers/Jackson on the same team. If we cut Jackson and replace him with Rivers I possibly could hate Rivers less then Jackson.

"Had Rivers been anywhere else, playing a smaller role, he’d only be a disappointing former pick. (Think Michael Carter-Williams without the rookie-season accolades.) In Washington, Rivers was a lousy shot (31.1 percent from 3-point range and 39.2 percent overall) but a prized defender off the bench. He was taking fewer shots than he had the past three seasons, which, depending on your opinion of either team, could speak to the Wizards’ poor ball movement or to the opportunities handed to him as a Clipper. There was value to having Rivers on the roster, but ask a team insider, and that might be outweighed by his personality: According to the Washington Post’s Candace Buckner, there was a verbal altercation between Rivers and Bradley Beal in a late November practice over a missed foul call. The former insisted he had been fouled; the latter couldn’t believe it was an actual complaint worth sharing."

https://www.theringer.com/nba/2018/12/18/18146522/austin-rivers-phoenix-suns-washington-wizards

buzzkilloton wrote:I dont think i can take Rivers/Jackson on the same team. If we cut Jackson and replace him with Rivers I possibly could hate Rivers less then Jackson.

"Had Rivers been anywhere else, playing a smaller role, he’d only be a disappointing former pick. (Think Michael Carter-Williams without the rookie-season accolades.) In Washington, Rivers was a lousy shot (31.1 percent from 3-point range and 39.2 percent overall) but a prized defender off the bench. He was taking fewer shots than he had the past three seasons, which, depending on your opinion of either team, could speak to the Wizards’ poor ball movement or to the opportunities handed to him as a Clipper. There was value to having Rivers on the roster, but ask a team insider, and that might be outweighed by his personality: According to the Washington Post’s Candace Buckner, there was a verbal altercation between Rivers and Bradley Beal in a late November practice over a missed foul call. The former insisted he had been fouled; the latter couldn’t believe it was an actual complaint worth sharing."

https://www.theringer.com/nba/2018/12/18/18146522/austin-rivers-phoenix-suns-washington-wizards

How good of a defender is he? We could use a defensive upgrade at the point that's for damn sure. Though being the best defensive point guard here wouldn't be saying much with Jackson, Ish and Calderon.

Stefanski should pull Griffin aside and ask him on the off-the-record down low if Austin Rivers would be a good fit here and if he'd want him as a teammate again. If Griff says to pass we can simply say "no room - won't pay the tax", and if Griff thinks he'd help than we can make a vet's minimum offer and see where he chooses.

He chooses here and we cut Ellenson for the initial move. And then work to trade Ish Smith for an upgrade elsewhere - either by himself or combined with others.

BDM22 wrote:

Watch on YouTube

Given he was doing it in front of Rivers - it could be more taking the piss out of a teammate/friend than if he did it privately and was slagging the guy. Only Blake knows I guess and I'm sure the Piston's FO will reach out for Blake's opinion on the possibility to brig Rivers in. If we want Rivers, Blake would probably be used to recruit him - so their relationship would matter.

I still think he goes to Orlando. Philly might pass because of the strong personality they just added in Butler and them needing to let that lockerroom workout their personalities first.

It's funny how teams that might be interested have former LA Clippers and some have privately blamed Doc's favoritism of Austin as reason for the failings and break-up of the team. Houston, Philly, Detroit...

Best case scenario:

1. Dump Reggie.
2. Get Fultz (sending out ish and filler)
3. Sign Rivers

We’d initially take a hit but I think we can make the playoffs by putting the ball in Blake’s hands as our true PG. Our defense would be much better.


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Weird all round given Memphis wanted Oubre in original three team deal and now will end up with Rivers. Probably cuts Marshaun Brooks as well to make room.