The Boston Celtics are actively seeking to strengthen their roster, and have been reported to be interested in signing free-agent guard Austin Rivers. After waiving forward Justin Champagnie, the Celtics have two vacant full roster spots in the wake of losing Marcus Smart to the Memphis Grizzlies in the Kristaps Porzingis, leaving a gap for a “starter-worthy” guard.
Celtics Blog’s Mark Aboyoun recently made the case for bringing on Rivers, saying that if Boston were in the market for a player who could help on the defensive side of the court, “one of the better defensive guards left on the market is Rivers.”
We are a bit less optimistic than Aboyoun regarding Rivers’ defense at this late stage of his career, but he’s a solid player on both ends of the court, and as good as any unsigned prospect still left on the market not named Kelly Oubre.
Celtics Lab 210: FIBA flubs, insurance fraud and fan surveys in the doldrums with Wayne Spooney https://t.co/4RZ9ObKh4z via @thecelticswire pic.twitter.com/M4w6E8Pq4j
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) August 11, 2023
Still, Rivers isn’t much better of an option at the one defensively than reserve guard Payton Pritchard and is a clearly worse option on offense.
If he were open to playing behind Pritchard with occasional boosts to his playing time when another backcourt player is out, Rivers would be a solid option for one of Boston’s two open roster spots.
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