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Austin Rivers reveals that his biggest career regret is related to Knicks stint

By Jordanna Clark

TAMPA, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 31: Austin Rivers #8 of the New York Knicks dribbles during the first half against the Toronto Raptors at Amalie Arena on December 31, 2020 in Tampa, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 31: Austin Rivers #8 of the New York Knicks dribbles during the first half against the Toronto Raptors at Amalie Arena on December 31, 2020 in Tampa, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images) /
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Austin Rivers has played in the NBA for 10 years and is now on his seventh team, the Minnesota Timberwolves. The guard began the 2020-21 season with the New York Knicks, but after playing in 21 games, he was traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder as part of a three-team deal, which resulted in him being waived and then signed by the Denver Nuggets.

Rivers left before New York’s fourth-place finish that resulted in a playoff berth. He signed a 10-day stint with the Nuggets in April of 2021 that turned into a one-year deal last summer. Now, he’ll get to suit up for one of the more exciting teams in the Western Conference with the Timberwolves.

However, Rivers recently went live on Instagram and revealed his biggest regret in regards to his career. His 21-game stint with the Knicks is the fewest amount of games that he’s played for a team, and based on what he had to say, it wasn’t enough.

Austin Rivers wishes that things could’ve worked out with the Knicks

Rivers wasn’t around for long, but once a Knick, always a Knick. Fans should appreciate his honest response to a tough question.

And while he was answering the question, you could tell that his stint in New York not being longer is something that truly bothers him. Rivers said, “I really wanted that situation to work out and I felt like I was playing pretty well there. I thought that playing in the Garden was incredible and I wish that I could’ve played there when the fans came.”

Rivers averaged 7.3 points, 2.2 rebounds, and two assists with the Knicks while shooting 43% from the field and 36.4% from the three-point line. His best game came against the Utah Jazz on Jan. 26, 2021, where he scored 25 points (10-of-14) off the bench in the first half to push New York’s halftime lead to 13, but the Knicks ended up losing, 108-94.

He might not have gotten to be part of New York’s first-round playoff series against the Atlanta Hawks in 2021, but he did get to play with Nikola Jokic in his back-to-back MVP seasons in Denver.

The Knicks seem to have an affection for former Duke stars, but unfortunately for Rivers, he didn’t get to hang around NYC for long.

Hopefully, the guard will do well with Rudy Gobert and the Timberwolves in 2022-23. And if a Donovan Mitchell trade were to happen this offseason, New York-Minnesota would be a must-watch next season. At least Rivers would get to play a role in that potential matchup.

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