Austin Rivers reportedly will become a Boston Celtic on Monday, but there’s little to no chance he’ll play even one game for the C’s.
The New Orleans Pelicans guard — and son of former Celtics coach Doc Rivers — is part of the widely reported three-team trade involving the Pelicans, Celtics and Memphis Grizzlies that reportedly will be made official when the NBA league office opens for business Monday.
Several media outlets reported Saturday, however, that Rivers’ stay in Boston would be brief, as already the Celtics already have more backcourt players than they knows what to do with.
“According to an NBA source, the Celtics do not have interest in keeping Rivers, son of former coach Doc Rivers, and are looking for landing spots for the third-year guard,” The Boston Globe’s Gary Washburn wrote.
The most likely of those spots is an intriguing one: the Los Angeles Clippers, the team Rivers’ father currently coaches.
Washburn, Yahoo! Sports’ Adrian Wojnarowski, ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne and USA Today’s Jeff Zillgitt all reported Sunday, citing sources, that the Celtics and Clippers are discussing a deal that would send Rivers to L.A. Per Wojnarowski, Boston would be willing to accept a second-round pick in return for the 22-year-old Duke product, who was selected 10th overall in the 2012 draft.
Wojnarowski also reported Monday, citing sources, that the Clippers are looking to add a third team to the mix:
[tweet https://twitter.com/WojYahooNBA/status/554335088188878848 align=’center’]
The elder Rivers told reporters Saturday night that he would be open to coaching his son.
“I would,” he said, via ESPN.com. “I think a year ago, I probably wouldn’t. 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 (be open to coaching him).”
In the original deal that would bring Rivers to Boston, the Celtics also would net veteran swingman Tayshaun Prince and a first-round pick from the Grizzlies, per reports. Celtics forward Jeff Green, the centerpiece of the trade, would land in Memphis.
Thumbnail photo via Twitter/@NBAbyWordLink
