New York Knicks: 3 levels of trades involving Austin Rivers

Matisse Thybulle for Austin Rivers makes sense for the Knicks.

Austin Rivers playing for his pops yet again?!

The Philadelphia 76ers were one of the two teams that showed heavy interest in bringing in Austin Rivers. The Knicks being the second.

Apparently, Doc Rivers, Austin Rivers’ father and coach of the 76ers, convinced his son to go to New York instead of Philadelphia as he would likely get a better chance for playing time and also due to his tremendous relationship with former Boston Celtics assistant, Tom Thibodeau.

Matisse Thybulle is a defensive-minded wing that has shown he is capable of hitting the 3-ball. Precisely what the Knicks need today.

Thybulle is struggling mightily this season and I believe that has a lot to do with the coaching change.

Under former 76ers coach, Brett Brown, Matisse Thybulle was objectively better. While none of his numbers really stand out too much, he did shoot around league average from long-range on 2.4 attempts.

Thybulle is certainly a work in progress, and with the new developmental staff the Knicks have, I believe he could be a very valuable piece to acquire.

This season, his numbers, most notably his 3-point shooting percentages are down. This is what makes me believe he can be had for little to nothing as the 76ers are clearly competing at a high level and could use a player like Austin Rivers who has playoff experience in his place.

Thybulle would bring a defensive intensity that not many Knicks players currently have in their arsenal and fits the timeline of the Knicks’ roster much better than he does with Philadelphia.