New York Knicks: Why the Knicks should not go after Austin Rivers
With the New York Knicks only having one consistent guard on the roster in Emmanuel Mudiay, should they go after Austin Rivers?
The New York Knicks might need some help at guard to help complement the hot hand of Emmanuel Mudiay, with Austin Rivers’ career at a crossroads, should he be the guy the Knicks go after?
Austin Rivers was recently traded from Washington to Phoenix alongside Kelly Oubre in exchange for Trevor Ariza.
Upon arrival in Phoenix, the Suns decided to part ways with Rivers. Rivers is now a free agent and may be able to help the New York Knicks beyond this season.
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The Knicks are more than likely done for this season as they sit towards the bottom of the East with a 9-24 record.
Therefore, it wouldn’t do too much to sign Rivers for this season, however, he could likely help the Knicks next season and beyond.
Rivers is a great player who is constantly overlooked and he is constantly a trade piece.
He has been traded twice since the end of last season from the Clippers to the Wizards, and then from the Wizards to the Suns.
When you are traded constantly you tend to be overlooked, and that is the case with Austin Rivers.
Last season, Rivers averaged 15.1 points, 2.4 rebounds and 4 assists per game.
Those are solid numbers and numbers that could seriously help some teams given the right minutes.
The Knicks are struggling game-in and game-out with inconsistent guards.
Recently, we have seen the breakout of Emmanuel Mudiay, as he scored more than 30 points twice in four games, but the question is can he keep it up?
But, at the other guard slot, they have the inconsistency in Courtney Lee, Trey Burke and the lack of offense in Frank Ntilikina.
This being said, Austin Rivers can provide that presence whether it be off the bench or in the starting position, that the Knicks need.
Now, signing Rivers won’t help the Knicks make the playoffs this season, but maybe next season when they have Kristaps Porzingis back and after they use their lottery pick to improve the team.
The ideal contract would be a two-year deal for the veteran minimum which is a bit over $4 million.
This wouldn’t break the bank and it would allow the Knicks to have Rivers through the end of next season.
The only problem with signing Rivers is that you might win a couple more games this season.
The Knicks are in a horrible place which is alright because it would give them a high lottery pick.
The Knicks are strong at the forward position when healthy with Kristaps Porzingis and Kevin Knox.
However, they are weak at the guard position, seeing no one knows if Mudiay can keep up the hot streak, and we haven’t seen anything from anyone else.
This being said the Knicks would then use their high pick to take a guard in someone like Cam Reddish, RJ Barrett or Ja Morant.
Signing Austin Rivers would potentially distract the Knicks from this need and they may take the best available player come the 2019 NBA Draft.
Next. Analyzing the Emergence of Emmanuel Mudiay. dark
What do you guys think? Let me know in the comments below.