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Knicks Trade Rumors: Pros And Cons Of Trading For Austin Rivers

By Maxwell Ogden

Feb 6, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Los Angeles Clippers guard Austin Rivers (25) prepares to shoot the ball between Toronto Raptors guard Terrence Ross (31) and forward Pascal Siakam (43) in the first quarter at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 6, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Los Angeles Clippers guard Austin Rivers (25) prepares to shoot the ball between Toronto Raptors guard Terrence Ross (31) and forward Pascal Siakam (43) in the first quarter at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports /
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December 25, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Austin Rivers (25) reaches for the ball ahead of Los Angeles Lakers forward Thomas Robinson (15) during the second half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
December 25, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Austin Rivers (25) reaches for the ball ahead of Los Angeles Lakers forward Thomas Robinson (15) during the second half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /

Con: Defensive Inconsistency

When healthy, the Los Angeles Clippers are a legitimately elite team with the uncanny ability to dominate on both ends of the floor. Unfortunately, health issues have exposed role players by shining a light on the areas in which they struggle individually.

Austin Rivers has shown some signs of individual development on the defensive end of the floor, but he remains inconsistent in that regard.

Rivers has a Defensive Real Plus-Minus in the negative at -2.24 through 50 appearances. Los Angeles is allowing 108.7 points per 100 possessions with Rivers on the court and a team-best 101.8 when he isn’t.

For the New York Knicks, adding a player who can’t provide a positive impact on defense would be tough to justify.

New York is allowing 108.1 points per 100 possessions in 2016-17, which ranks No. 23 in the Association. Thus, if there’s anything that the Knicks need, it’s to improve on the defensive end of the floor.

Rivers has shown signs of improved individual defense, but it’s fair to question if he would be the answer to the Knicks’ perimeter woes.

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