New Orleans Pelicans: Why it would be wise to sign Austin Rivers
With Austin Rivers becoming a free agent, we explore why the New Orleans Pelicans should jump at the opportunity to sign him
The New Orleans Pelicans are 15-16, and desperately need help with their back-court depth, which is one of the biggest reasons why the team has gone 11-16 after their hot start to the season.
After losing Rajon Rondo during the summer, the Pelicans signed Elfrid Payton to be his replacement. The problem with that is that Payton hasn’t been healthy for much of the season. He played well through the first few games of the season, before the injury.
Interestingly enough, the team went undefeated in the four games that Payton has been healthy in this season. However, he hasn’t been healthy since those first four games, and the Pelicans have really struggled.
Maybe the two variables don’t have much to do with each other, but at the very least his absence has to play a small factor in the team’s recent struggles. That said, the Pelicans have gone for much of the season without finding a replacement.
And perhaps they should take a long look at Austin Rivers, who is now a free agent after he was traded and then waived out by the Phoenix Suns. Payton is still expected to miss the next few weeks, at least, and adding Rivers could help hold down the fort in his absence.
After trade with Wizards, Suns agree to part ways with G Austin Rivers, per ESPN sources. Rivers – earning $12.6M in final year of deal – becomes a free agent upon clearing waivers. As a veteran, sides concluded Rivers fits better on an older team that's pursuing playoffs.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) December 18, 2018
Plus, there is some familiarity between Rivers and the Pelicans. Rivers began his NBA career with the Pelicans, and played there three seasons before he was moved to the Los Angeles Clippers.
Even when Payton returns, Rivers would help give this team a reliable backup point guard or added depth behind Jrue Holiday in order to give this team the added help they need to try and jumpstart their season.
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This team is in desperate need of an upgrade, and I’m not sure if they’ll be able to hit on that in the trade market. If nothing else, Rivers is worth the gamble. The New Orleans Pelicans don’t have time to mess around. This is quick becoming a make or break season.