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Minnesota Timberwolves: 2 reasons the Wolves should sign Austin Rivers

By Trey Flynn

TORONTO, ON - NOVEMBER 23: Austin Rivers #1 of the Washington Wizards points during the first half of an NBA game against the Toronto Raptors at Scotiabank Arena on November 23, 2018 in Toronto, Canada. 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 Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - NOVEMBER 23: Austin Rivers #1 of the Washington Wizards points during the first half of an NBA game against the Toronto Raptors at Scotiabank Arena on November 23, 2018 in Toronto, Canada. 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 Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images) /
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WASHINGTON, DC –  DECEMBER 12: Austin Rivers #1 of the Washington Wizards handles the ball against the Boston Celtics on December 12, 2018 at Capital One Arena in Washington, DC. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC –  DECEMBER 12: Austin Rivers #1 of the Washington Wizards handles the ball against the Boston Celtics on December 12, 2018 at Capital One Arena in Washington, DC. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images) /

In the 2017-2018 season, Austin Rivers became one of the better combo guards off the bench around the league.

Austin Rivers scored double digits in scoring for 49 out of 61 games last season, shattering any solid offensive production he’s accumulated over his NBA career – making his first five years in the league look null.

And while the Clippers weren’t exactly a great team last season, Rivers switched back and fourth as a combo guard with his versatile play. One of his more noteworthy performances from last season was actually a game against Minnesota where he totaled 30 points, 5 assists, and 5 rebounds (7/10 from downtown).

Moreover, there were a few other performances that stood out: Totaling 74 points in two games against the Memphis Grizzlies and Houston rockets, shooting 55.6 percent from the field and 4.5 assists.

In all three of those games, Rivers switched between both guard slots and played fairly solid on-the-ball defense against switches between the one and two.

Historically, Rivers has performed at his finest in three-guard lineups, where he can run the court and spread out the floor with his guards and wings. Which makes him a perfect pick up for Minny, who has a plethora of solid guards and wings.

Playing a five man rotation of Derrick Rose, Austin Rivers, Andrew Wiggins, Robert Covington, and Karl-Anthony Towns just sounds like the future of small-ball lineups. Why not start now?

Just having another guy like Derrick Rose on the team that can switch between the two guard slots in just important to have as an asset, so Rivers’ adaptable nature can definitely come clutch for the Wolves.

Speaking of Derrick Rose…

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