Three things Austin Rivers brings to the Timberwolves

Ball Handling and Shooting

One thing the Timberwolves undoubtedly had in mind when they signed Rivers was getting another ball handler. After losing Patrick Beverley and Malik Beasley, they knew they needed more players they could trust with the ball in their hands throughout the game.

Rivers is certainly someone you can trust with the basketball. While he may not be the most offensively skilled player in the world, he is going to do his part in running the offense while keeping the turnovers down. He averaged less than one turnover per game over the last two seasons with Denver.

Similarly, Rivers may not be one of the most lethal three-point shooters in the NBA, but he’s good enough from outside the arc that his presence on the floor will create spacing and make defenses respect his shot. He’s a 35% three-point shooter for his career.