NBA Los Angeles Clippers

Austin Rivers’ Trade To Los Angeles Clippers Was A Brilliant Move

Fresh Videos

By @pjacobosports

Austin Rivers Los Angeles Clippers

Getty Images

The Los Angeles Clippers made history by acquiring head coach Doc Rivers’ son Austin Rivers. Rivers becomes the first son to play for his father/coach in the NBA. The move for Rivers was an excellent piece of work.

I understand Rivers is shooting 38 percent from two and 28 percent from three, but a move was needed for Los Angeles. Perhaps a change of scenery could help the second-year player out of Duke play better. Also, being surrounded by proven veterans like Chris Paul, Jamal Crawford and sharpshooter J.J. Redick are not the worst mentors to have.

Let’s focus on the bigger picture for the Clippers. On Wednesday night, L.A. defeated the Portland Trail Blazers 100-94. What pops out from that victory was that Crawford scored all of the Clippers’ bench points. He finished the game with 25 points.

Bench production has been Los Angeles’ main problem this season. Cutting ties with Jordan Farmar and Chris Douglas-Roberts was absolutely the right move. Rumors surfaced that both players were unhappy with their roles on the team. As far as Reggie Bullock is concerned, he was a bit-part player on a loaded squad.

The Clippers signed Dahntay Jones to a 10-day contract after he dropped 30 points in the D-League. He’s not known as a scorer, but rather a defensive stopper, which the Clippers could use. If his comeback attempt is successful and consistent, I can see him sticking around longer.

Coach Rivers told reporters that the trade gave the team flexibility for future moves. The trade deadline is still weeks away, but it has picked up steam over the last few days. Many players the Clippers can add are being bought-out.

Nate Robinson and Tayshaun Prince come to mind. Robinson is an explosive guard that brings energy and scoring to a team. The Clippers’ second unit could certainly use that extra punch. The reigning sixth man of the year could use a solid running mate like the diminutive guard.

Prince, on the other hand, brings defense, length and championship experience. A solid player throughout his career, he’s shooting 40 percent from the field and 45 percent from three; a wonderful addition to a locker room that had chemistry issues, according to reports.

These two players are just some of the few who have been released (or close to). Other players may find themselves looking to jump on with contenders. The removal of unhappy players like Farmar and CDR was a thing of beauty. They were underperforming on a championship-caliber team and had no business sticking around.

Stability and balance will be key for the Clippers making a run for the title. They currently sit at 26-14 after Friday’s loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers. A revamped bench may be the missing piece that catapults this Clippers team to elite status. Los Angeles is near the halfway point in the season, and moves needed to be made. Coach Rivers understood this and he acted on it.

Pablo Jacobo is a writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @pjacobosports, “Like” him on Facebook or add him on Google.

Share Tweet
Trending Now on