Money matters: Timberwolves sign Rivers on league minimum deal

The Minnesota Timberwolves added desperately needed backcourt help in veteran guard Austin Rivers. But despite the need for a backup point guard to help keep the team on track whenever starter D’Angelo Russell is off the basketball court, the Timberwolves did not break the piggy bank to pay Rivers.

In fact, the Timberwolves landed the veteran with an incredibly team-friendly NBA veteran minimum contract. Per Spotrac.com, that works out to an estimated $2.9 million, with an estimated cap hit of $1.8 million.

Rivers is a 10-year NBA veteran who has rather extensive regular-season as well as postseason experience. Standing 6-foot-4 and weighing 200-pounds, the versatile guard is as comfortable bringing the ball up the court and setting the plays as he is in working off-ball creating shots.

Because he has enjoyed such a lengthy NBA career, he has competed in the NBA Playoffs for the Houston Rockets, the LA Clippers, and most recently for the Denver Nuggets.

It was his play for the Nuggets that likely lured him to the Minnesota Timberwolves this year. He competed for the Nuggets under then Nuggets President Tim Connelly. With Connelly taking over the helm for the Timberwolves, he likely wanted to add a player who he is familiar with.

Despite his waning production, Rivers remains a solid option off the bench for the Timberwolves. He still possesses solid shooting from all distances, even a three-point shot that scored on 34.2 percent of the time in the 2021-22 season. The Timberwolves will need that type of artillery on the court, as center Rudy Gobert and power forward Karl-Anthony Towns will be handling the real estate under and around the basket.