Just a few weeks before the start of the NBA training camps, Austin Rivers is still seeking for a place to call his own for the upcoming campaign, and Boston may end up being one of his final destinations. In a recent episode on the Bill Simmons podcast, the seasoned guard disclosed that he just contacted the Celtics directly about joining the squad.
Rivers remarked, “I had a wonderful chat with Brad (Stevens) actually about a week ago.
After the Marcus Smart deal, Simmons, a Celtics supporter, suggested Rivers move to Boston, pointing out the team’s need for another guard.
“That’s why I called (Brad),” Rivers said. “I told him I’d love to be a part of the team. He said a lot of positive things. We’ll see if that’s something that will come to fruition. I’ve always loved Brad. I’ve always been a fan of him.”
Rivers also revealed he is holding out hope for a roster spot in Miami if the team ends up opening up a bunch of roster spots in the wake of a potential Damian Lillard trade in the coming weeks. The Celtics currently have 14 players signed to their roster but only 11 players are on fully guaranteed deals. Here’s a current look at the team’s depth chart:
Guards: Derrick White, Jaylen Brown Malcolm Brogdon, Payton Pritchard, Svi Mykhailiuk, Dalano Banton, JD Davidson (two-way), Jay Scrubb (two-way)
Forwards: Jayson Tatum, Kristaps Porzingis, Sam Hauser, Jordan Walsh, Oshae Brissett
Centers: Al Horford, Robert Williams, Luke Kornet, Neemias Queta (two-way)
Analysis: With Kornet, Mykhailiuk and Banton all on partially guaranteed deals, there’s a case to be made for Rivers to compete for a roster spot during training camp, if he’s willing to play without a big guarantee. However, as the roster currently stands it’s tough to envision Boston bringing him in with the team pretty stocked in the backcourt after their summer dealing.
However, another trade during the preseason involving the backcourt could open a bigger need in the backcourt. The 31-year-old Rivers has spent 11 seasons in the nBA and performed admirably in limited minutes for the Wolves last year, with 4.9 points and 1.4 assists per game. He had a very brief stint in Boston back in 2015 before he was dealt twice in a week to land with the Clippers.
Rivers never suited up in Boston back then but there’s clearly interest on his end for a reunion.
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