Houston Rockets: Why the Austin Rivers signing could be an underrated move

With Chris Paul out 2-4 weeks with an injury the Houston Rockets needed point guard depth. So, they signed veteran guard Austin Rivers to a one year deal.

The Houston Rockets added guard Austin Rivers to their roster today, signing him to a one year deal according to Houston Chronicle Rockets beat writer Jonathan Feigen. Rivers is in his seventh season in the NBA after being drafted 10th overall in the 2013 draft by the New Orleans Hornets.

Rivers spent a few years in New Orleans playing for the Hornets as they transitioned to being the Pelicans. Then, in 2015, he was traded to the Clippers to join his father, Doc Rivers, in Los Angeles. He played there for a few seasons before being traded for Marcin Gortat this past offseason.

Rivers was on the Washington Wizards this year before being traded to the Phoenix Suns in the deal that sent a former member of the Houston Rockets, Trevor Ariza, to D.C. The Suns later released Rivers.

Rivers didn’t have the best stats this year in 29 games with Washington, he averaged 7.2 points, 2.4 rebounds and 2 assists per game. But that’s not why the Houston Rockets signed him in the first place, the main reason was to have a veteran presence on the floor while the Rockets deal with Chris Paul‘s sudden hamstring injury. Paul is expected to be out two-four weeks.

The Rockets have struggled without Paul in the lineup, going 1-5 since Paul’s injury.  They will need all the help they can get with pivotal games coming up, starting with the Christmas Day showdown with Russell Westbrook and the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Rivers does have some familiarity with Houston though. Remember last season’s incident in Los Angeles, when tempers got the best of Gerald Green and then Ariza when they wanted to enter the Clippers locker room after the game?  While Rivers, with the Clippers at the time, did not play in that game due to an ankle injury, he was quite vocal to Ariza and company from the Clippers bench. Ariza and Rivers later reconciled.

Another interesting note is that Rivers and Paul will be on the same team once again. Both played together with the Clippers for three seasons (2015-2017). There was some reported animosity between Paul and Rivers during their time together but Paul gave the okay on the deal and said there wouldn’t be any issues.

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While signing Rivers might sound disappointing to some, I actually like the signing because it gives the Rockets veteran leadership and a healthy guard while Paul recovers. Who knows how Rivers will play with Houston, he might be better than we think.  Only time will tell.

Rivers gives the Houston Rockets some very solid offense and some underrated defense. The past two seasons with the Clippers, he shot over 37% from three on about five attempts per game. He also stepped up as the Clippers primary, pesky guard defender last season when Patrick Beverley went down with an injury.

At worst, Rivers adds some solid, consistent depth behind the oft-injured Paul this season. At best, he can provide a spark off of the bench to go with some pesky defending. Regardless, he should provide plenty of energy and depth to a team that badly needs it.

I want to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Thank you for your readership in 2018, here’s to 2019! Go Rockets!