The Boston Celtics acquired Austin Rivers in a three-team trade this weekend, but the guard appears unlikely to stay there for long. Reports indicate Los Angeles Clippers coach and president Doc Rivers is in talks with Boston for a trade to acquire his son, Austin.
The New Orleans Pelicans shipped Austin to the Celtics over the weekend in a three-team trade with Boston and the Memphis Grizzlies, according to ESPN. New Orleans received Grizzlies guard Quincy Pondexter and a future second-round pick from the Grizzlies; Memphis received Celtics forward Jeff Green and Pelicans guard Russ Smith; and Boston received the expiring contract of Grizzlies forward Tayshaun Prince, a future first-round pick from the Grizzlies and Rivers from the Pelicans.
Austin, however, might not even play a single game for the Celtics. Both ESPN and the Los Angeles Times reported the Clippers, at the behest of Doc, are trying to trade the Celtics for him.
"The Los Angeles Clippers are in preliminary discussions with the Boston Celtics to acquire Austin Rivers, according to team sources," ESPN's Arash Markazi wrote Saturday. "One source with knowledge of the Clippers' thinking told ESPN.com's Ramona Shelburne that L.A. -- with Doc Rivers serving as coach and team president -- believes it will ultimately acquire Rivers."
Ben Bolch of The Times also confirmed a source as saying the Clippers were discussing acquiring Austin from Celtics, a team whose president - Danny Ainge - Doc has close ties to.
Los Angeles has been trying to bolster their depth at the 2-spot, but they're limited in cap space - Rivers is just $1.61 million under the tax threshold - and have little to offer teams in terms of assets. While a trade is possible, it would take some creativity to pull off.
"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," Bolch wrote Saturday. "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, who was previously against coaching his son, had a different tune this weekend when asked about the possibility.
"I think a year ago I probably wouldn't," Rivers said, via The Times, "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.
If Los Angeles and Boston are in discussions, they have until Feb. 19 to make something happen.
