Report: Austin Rivers may be heading to the Clippers

Sports Illustrated

This Jeff Green deal just won't end, and continues to get weirder.

Less than 12 hours after the Grizzlies and Pelicans agreed to a three-team deal with the Celtics that included Jeff Green, Tayshaun Prince, Quincy Pondexter, Austin Rivers and a first-round pick, Clippers coach and president of basketball operations Doc Rivers is reportedly interested in trading for his son.

Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports reported last night that the Celtics were on the phone with the Clippers trying to agree on a trade that would send Rivers to Los Angeles for an expiring contract and a second round pick. Clippers point guard Jordan Farmar has an expiring contract, but the Clippers are already very thin at the guard position.

Los Angeles wants to trade for Rivers so that they can add depth to their backcourt. When they lost Darren Collison in free agency last summer they replaced him with Farmar, but he hasn't been playing well enough to be a backup point guard on any team, averaging a career low four points and two assists.

Last night, after the Clippers' 120-100 win over the Dallas Mavericks, Doc Rivers sounded very open to the idea of coaching his son.

"I would," Rivers said. "I think a year ago, I probably wouldn't. I think I would, for sure. I think this team could handle that. He's a downhill guard, which is something we need, so I certainly would [be open to coaching him]." [ESPN Los Angeles]

Rivers, who will be a free agent this summer, could help share minutes with Farmar off the bench for the Clippers but it will be risky move for Doc. So far, Austin's NBA career has been a disappointment.

Doc will have to deal with critics judging him, wondering if he made the trade because it was best for the team or if he did it in an attempt to save Austin's NBA career.

Earlier this season, when the Clippers were struggling against the elite teams in the Western Conference, there were reports indicating tension in the Clippers locker room. And that the players generally didn't 'like' each other. If there is some truth to that rumor, adding the coach's son could only make matters worst.

Stay tuned for updates.


Josue Pavon
Twitter: Joe_Sway10