top of page
Last updated: 9/30/2019
Last updated: 9/30/2019
Last updated: 9/30/2019
Summary
Known more as a combo guard when he entered the league, Rivers has now established himself as a full-time wing. Rivers has found a solid role on a Rockets team where he can spotup around Harden and be a secondary playmaker when necessary. Because he has the ability to break defenders down off the dribble, he has value on second units that struggle to score. When the shot clock is winding down and the normal flow of offense hasn't created a good look, it's nice to have somebody that can create something decent.
Rivers is not somebody that you want handling the ball too much, because he has never been that efficient of a scorer, nor has he been one too use his isolation ability to create good looks for others. However, Rivers can certainly been provide value to winning teams if he is in the right role.
Cap Considerations
Rivers has a $2.4 million player option for next season, and if he declines that option he will be an unrestricted free agent with a $1.7 million cap hold and Early Bird Rights. If Rivers opts for free agency, the Rockets will be somewhat limited in their means of re-signing him. Using their Early Bird rights, the Rockets will be limited to paying him a starting salary of up to 105% of the average salary this past season (roughly $10 million), which should be more than enough. However, if the Rockets use Early Bird rights to re-sign Rivers, he cannot sign a one-year deal. This would include a two-year deal with a player option, but a two-year deal with the second year non-guaranteed would be allowed. The Rockets could alternatively renounce Rivers to a Non-Bird free agent, and re-sign him to a one-year deal using Non-Bird rights. However, they would be limited to 120% of his minimum salary, so $2.9 million.
Other teams will have multiple ways to sign Rivers as even teams without cap space could possibly use any of the Non-Taxpayer, Taxpayer, or Room Mid-Level Exceptions to sign him. He could also potentially be had at the minimum salary.
Potential Teams: Rockets, Hawks, Hornets, Timberwolves, 76ers
Predicted Contract: 1-year, $3.5 million with the Hornets
Actual Contract: 3-year, $10 million (2nd and 3rd years non-guaranteed) with the Knicks.
Rivers got similar money to what I expected, and the final two years of his contract are non-guaranteed if the Knicks decide to use their cap space elsewhere in the future.
Last updated: 12/31z/2020
bottom of page