Austin Rivers Traded to Wizards for Marcin Gortat

[Fookal]

Gortat has a long-time girlfriend in LA and was very happy about being traded here, perfect city for him. You've got nothing to lose with him, either he declies further (still servicable) or he has a nice year (very servicable). As long as there's no John Wall on your team he is actually the type of hard-working vet player you want in your locker room. Always professional, young players can learn a lot from him.

As for it being a one-year experience, I'm sure it depends on what he shows this season. If he plays well and his relationship lasts, I wouldn't rule out a 1-year vet contract afterwards, assuming that he'd be a good bench player and you get a good C.

[TucsonClip]

I think Clipper fans are going to really like Gortat. He's a complete departure from DJ. He works hard on every play, sets hard screens, can shoot a little in a pick-and-pop, and provides toughness. He's one of those guys whom casual fans might not notice because he isn't scoring a ton or showing up on highlight reels, but at the end of the game, the opposing center is icing down every part of his body and Gortat looks like he barely broke a sweat.

I understand he's limited and that there are things we'll miss about DJ. I'm not sure Gortat will flush a single lob, and he won't be featured on fast breaks. He won't be in any discussions for DPOY, and he probably won't be in the top 15 in the NBA in a single stat. I get all that. He's not DJ. But he's a winner.

Pretty much how I feel, stats. He is in the twilight of his career, and while his efficiency and rebounding took a dip this past season, he still has some value. One area, which goes a bit unnoticed, is his screen setting.

I heard Lowe and Arnovitz talking about how his hard, solid, massive, screens helped with Wall and Beal's development. We have two young guards of our own who excel off the dribble in high ball screens. Gortat certainly can help in that regard. For reference, he finished fourth in the entire NBA in screen assists, with 4.5 per game. Stevens Adams (4.8) and Andre Drummond (4.7) are second and third.

Hopefully his rebounding comes back, and he is able to convert his flip, scoop, hook finishes from the mid paint again. But, his screen setting should help spring loose our young guards.

[clip set]

Is there any consensus on Rivers? Is he a good player a bad player? Locker room cancer? Misunderstood? Daddy's boy?

I feel like the Wizards just got there 6th man of the future tbh. He shot a higher percentage from 3 than Beal, attempted more 3's than Otto and can also get to the rim. Has any reporters ever asked about his ft shooting? So bizarre that it is low while his 3-point percentage increases every year. I think Austin will blossom into a very solid player during the latter part of his 20s. If anyone wants to reply feel free.

Regarding Gortat, I wouldn't get to up in arms either way. He was talking about retirement this season. You guys are doing the rebuild thing, and Gortat definitely does not figure into that. I haven't looked into your roster much but I'm always interested in adopting a young up and coming 2nd team. So maybe the Clippers will be that going forward. Good luck this offseason.

For whatever reason Rivers is good at pull up 3s but below average to bad at everything else. This pulls his isolation PPP up significantly to the point that it's very good. You don't want to use him as a PnR ball handler, but he can give you some decent isolation scoring. He also basically does no meaningful movement off ball. I wrote a couple long posts about it with a bunch of stats a few months ago, but I don't remember where they are.

He'll be fine coming off the bench for you for like 20 minutes. His defense is the most overrated part of his game. He tries but gets lost off ball and he's terrible at fighting over screens, which is basically the most important thing for a guy defending a lead guard.

This is a lateral move for both teams which is fine.

[Ranma]

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[Galloisdaman]

I'm not against moving Rivers or having Gortat but it seemed like a lopsided trade in terms of value. I was surprised that was all they could get for Rivers. I would have hoped a draft pick was included.

[Ranma]

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[Ranma]

I guess I never chimed in on Austin Rivers being traded like I intended to. I actually think trading him away (and any other under-performing option) makes Doc a better coach. I'll give Austin credit in that he's made the most of his opportunities even though they came by way of nepotism. Even still, he has moxie and, while his irrational self confidence is to quite the annoying degree, he uses that as a motivating factor to drive his competitiveness. He's developed himself into being a serviceable rotation player albeit on an overpriced contract, which again, he has his dad to thank for.

When we traded for him, I actually declared that I thought Doc was one of the few people who could reach him when other NBA coaches and Coach K couldn't, so hopefully he'll take what he's learned and be cognizant that he no longer has a safety net to save him. The kid has to do a better job of listening to other coaches because, unlike Daddy Dearest, they're not going to keep giving him playing time at the expense of more deserving players.

Make no mistake, this guy was on the brink of being out of the league before Doc & the Clippers saved his NBA career by trading for him and committing developmental resources and playing time to him when Doc failed to do that with other young players including his own hand-picked draft selections.

Personally, I don't doubt that Austin has the drive or skills to succeed and he's apparently elevated his off-season workouts with something to prove. Now he has even more to prove because he has to be more open to listening to those who know what's best for him. Can he do that? I'm not so sure and we'll see how he'll fare away from the big top that was Doc's 1-ring circus.

However, if and when he falters again, I don't want Doc to petition to bring him back to the Clippers as another revitalization project. The kid has had more than his fair share of second chances.

[Ranma]

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[Ranma]

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