Celtics have interest in Austin Rivers?

[Jiri Welsch]

Searched around the forums and didn't see anything about this, feel free to delete if it's in a thread I haven't seen.

http://www.boston.com/sports/basketball/celtics/extras/celtics_blog/2014/06/reports_celtics_interested_in_acquiring_austin_rivers.html

Bulpett reported yesterday Celtics have some interest in acquiring Rivers? What to make of this, I wonder?

First thought is, looking for backup plans in case Bradley's cost escalates a bit higher than the Celtics want to reach.

[hpantazo]

If the price is right, he'd be a nice backup for us and would fit with our youth movement. I don't want to commit a lot of money to keeping Bradley, getting Rivers for cheap would be a good alternative.

[celticmania]

What would it take to get him in a trade ?

[clover]

If I'm CJ, I'm not feeling very secure about my unguaranteed contract right now.

[Roy H.]

No thank you.  He's just not a good player.

[Celtics4ever]

Courtesy to Doc ends, let Doc get him.

[BigAlTheFuture]

No thank you.  He's just not a good player.

Agreed. He wasn't even impressive at the collegiate level. I'm quite shocked he was a lottery pick, to be honest. Your name can get you so far.

[Celtics18]

Publicity stunt?

[celticmania]

If they're looking to clear cap space, id give them Keith Bogans and a couple of 2nd rounders

[BudweiserCeltic]

Pelicas are looking to clear cap space so that they can take on Asik. If getting Rivers is as simple as absorbing contract and 2nd rounder or such, I don't see a problem with that.

It also hedges the risks of letting Avery Bradley go if that came to fruition.

I don't like Austin Rivers as a player, though I think he can play better than he's shown... and he improved a bit in hi second season. If the cost is low, as it should be concerning the the Pelicans' dilemma, I see getting Rivers as a no-brainer.

[Jiri Welsch]

Figured I'd post it in the same thread. Celtics extend qualifying offer to AB, per Gary Washburn:

gary washburn ‏@GwashburnGlobe  ? 31m 
#Celtics have extended $3.58 million qualifying offer to Avery Bradley, according to NBA source, giving club right to match any offer to RFA

[Robb]

If they're looking to clear cap space, id give them Keith Bogans and a couple of 2nd rounders

Absolutely not. The Cs might have interest in him, but I don't have a any, and giving away one of our most valuable trade chips would make it even worse.

Is it true they need to clear space to get Asik?  I hope they don't and we have a chance to swoop in if possible.  At the very least, if they have no takers, then they have no leverage and maybe they'd trade us some picks in order to off him from their books. Rivers play almost makes him a negative asset and if they desperately need to get rid of his salary, sheesh. The Pels are almost doing everything you SHOULDNT do for a young stud. I might suggest we keep the books open for Davis in a few years.

[Jiri Welsch]

If they're looking to clear cap space, id give them Keith Bogans and a couple of 2nd rounders

I think Anthony's expiring plus a 2nd could get Rivers + any unguaranteeds the Pelicans might be able to throw in.

[Waew]

this was a draft night rumor, i believe it was similar to the mclemore trade, moving down and getting a pick and shooting guard (rivers) in return ....notice the article date, they ran with the rumor.

[LooseCannon]

The Pelicans plan on using cap space to acquire Asik.  Trading Rivers might mean they don't have to waive Jeff Withey to do so.

A reasonable trade would be the unguaranteed contracts of Babb/Pressey/Johnson for Rivers.