NBA: Rivers Traded To The Wizards
Doc Rivers has finally done the unthinkable and traded away his son. The same son he offered a three-year $35 million contract to and allegedly didn’t want to trade for Carmelo Anthony. Wait ... so Doc is no longer the GM of the Clippers and can no longer make those decisions? Okay, so Doc didn't do the unthinkable but given his preference for his namesake it can be easily assumed he'll hate the fact that the Los Angeles Clippers are sending Austin Rivers to the Washington Wizards for center Marcin Gortat according to ESPN’S Adrian Wojnarowski. But all jokes aside, this move not only benefits both sides tremendously but it could send a rippling effect throughout the league.
The Clippers are covering all bases in the event that their star center in DeAndre Jordan finally takes his talents to Dallas. As we all know, Jordan was supposed to sign with the Mavericks back in 2015 but changed his mind after he was infamously ambushed by his Clipper teammates and allegedly locked in a room until he signed his extension. With no Chris Paul to orchestrate the ambush, Jordan seems free to do as he pleases and picking up Marcin Gortat gives Los Angeles a center if DeAndre is indeed traded. Whether the Clippers plan to keep Gortat remains to be seen, they can either buy out his contract for more cash or keep the “Polish Hammer” as a starter for this coming season.
Reports have started to leak that DeAndre may opt into the final year of his contract ($24M) and request a team of his choosing, among the teams interested in his services are the Mavericks, according to Marc Stein of the New York Times. Jordan has been in Los Angeles his entire career and this move would benefit both parties by allowing him to go to a team of his choosing and allowing LA to acquire assets for the future. Opting into his contract might be the best move for him given the fact that almost every team is running low on cap space. Speaking of teams low on cap space, Rivers was basically gifted to Washington.
Between John Wall, Bradley Beal, and Otto Porter Jr., the Wizards weren’t in any position to sign a player of Rivers' caliber. That’s not to say that Rivers is the savior of Wizards basketball but he does solve some of their most glaring issues. The Wizards starting five is one of the best units in the league but if Wall or Beal both sit out for any extended amount of time the Wizards become Muggles (Harry Potter reference). Bringing in Rivers gives Washington the flexibility to rest Wall and give Rivers the reins with the second unit for unlimited hesitation step backs. But shipping out Gortat leaves a gigantic hole within the starting unit. Ian Mahinmi is serviceable, sure, but he can’t be your starting center.
This trade may lead to the reunion of former Kentucky teammates, DeMarcus Cousins and Wall. Cousins is coming off a season ending Achilles injury in which New Orleans might see as a red flag and offer him a short term deal while Washington may dive in head first and offer Porter for the talented big man. Proposing a sign-and-trade with Porter and Cousins might be the best move for both sides. New Orleans desperately need a player like Porter and Washington now needs a center and Cousins would fit perfectly alongside Wall. Adding Rivers to the fray, who is an underrated defender and marksmen, would definitely improve their team overall. Who would've thought sending Rivers out east could potentially impact the league so profoundly.
Photo Credit: FOX Sports.
