Denver Nuggets: Austin Rivers is a perfect fit for playoff dreams

Austin Rivers is a great addition for the Denver Nuggets playoff dreams

The Denver Nuggets are reportedly considering adding free agent Austin Rivers, according to Mike Singer of the Denver Post.

Adding Austin Rivers is a win-win situation for both the Nuggets and him. With Jamal Murray recently being diagnosed with a torn ACL, the Nuggets are desperate for some guard depth. Rivers has already proven his ability to knock down the set 3-pointer and space the floor.

The best thing about Austin Rivers is his ability to play off other stars and complement what they do well without getting in the way. During his recent tenure with the Houston Rockets, he had to play alongside and behind a plethora of changing lineups that featured All-Star players.

The fact that he could co-exist with James Harden, Russell Westbrook, and Chris Paul speaks volumes. He played with three of the most ball-dominant guards of their respective eras and found ways to affect the game when he was asked to score.

Austin is an intelligent decision-maker, which comes as no surprise when you think back on the career of his father, Doc Rivers. He can easily facilitate and play through other players.

He had his best career years with skilled big men such as Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan while he was with the Los Angeles Clippers. During his time with the Clippers off the bench, he averaged four assists per game, just over one turnover, and just under one steal.

He should be just as effective running the pick and roll with the lob threat of Aaron Gordon and the highly skilled Nikola Jokic. He has never played with a big man who has the offensive versatility that Jokic has so it will be interesting to see how he co-exists with him.

Rivers can also fill it up if given the keys to the offense, exemplifying that with a 41-point performance just last season.  He is confident when handling the basketball and can hunt for his own shot at all three levels effectively, particularly at the rim.

An above-average finisher in the paint for his size, he has shot the ball at above fifty percent in the paint for the last three years. His relentless nature around the rim might be credited in part to a dust-up he had as a high schooler with Kevin Garnett.

The Nuggets are desperate for someone to be able to step in and be confident with the starting point guard role. While it would be nice for someone to replicate the scoring from Jamal Murray, the better option might be to have Austin just feed Nikola Jokic and Michael Porter Jr.

Head coach Michael Malone runs most of his offense through Jokic anyway. The Joker is confident with bringing the ball up the floor and is one of the best decision-makers in the NBA. Nikola is averaging 8.8 assists per game this year, good for fourth in the entire league. He sits behind three of the most iconic guards in the league in James Harden, Russell Westbrook, and Trae Young. His full-court and cross-court passing ability mirrors the precision and jaw-dropping nature of LeBron James.

This pairing will prove to be incredibly effective because of Austin Rivers’s unselfish nature to his game and the Nuggets’ desperate need of a starting point guard and primary ball-handler. Rivers has been around the league for a while now and there should be no issue with him fitting into the Nuggets’ pass-happy offense. He has been mentored by some of the best guards in NBA history, including his father! This deal seems like a no-brainer for both sides and Nuggets fans should be excited about the potential addition.