Doc Rivers took a lot of heat when he traded for his son Austin Rivers during last season, but it worked out pretty well as Austin had some great moments in the playoffs, and was able to provide a spark off the bench. Rivers is now a free agent and is reportedly in strong talks with the Los Angeles Clippers about returning for next season according to RealGM.com.
The Clippers have had basically everything go their way after J.J. Redick called out the front office for not re-signing DeAndre Jordan. Since then, Jordan has come back, they signed Cole Aldrich, and they appear to be in on Josh Smith too.
The Clippers have now set their sights on bringing back Rivers to continue to be the backup point guard behind Chris Paul. Rivers showed he can handle a full workload as a point guard last postseason, but he will backup Paul should the deal get done.
Rivers has been a disappointment in his NBA career so far after he was one of the most heralded college recruits in the 2011 class, and then being drafted 10th overall by the New Orleans Hornets. In his two and a half seasons with the Pelicans/Hornets, he averaged 6.9 points per game but only shot 39 percent from the field. After being acquired by the Clippers in the middle of last season, Rivers' shooting percentage went up to 43 percent and his turnovers went down.
Rivers will only be turning 23 in the beginning of August, so he still has plenty of time to improve and it already appears like he is based on his postseason numbers. In 14 playoff games, Rivers averaged 8.4 points in only 18 minutes per game while shooting 44 percent from the field and 37 percent from three. He even started two games in the playoffs due to Chris Paul being injured, and he filled in admirably. There is not much more you can ask for from a backup point guard, and the likelihood is that he will only get better.
The Clippers can pay Rivers as much as about $3.1 million, according to NBCSports.com, so that's what he should be expected to make in this potential deal.
The Clippers roster is really starting to round into shape as they attempt to fill their biggest need, which was depth. Bringing back Rivers would be big to go along with Jamal Crawford (for now), Lance Stephenson, Glen Davis, Aldrich and possibly even Smith.
