When Austin Rivers joined the team, the Denver Nuggets were scrambling to find a guard who could come in and soak up some of the minutes following the Jamal Murray injury. One-and-half seasons later and Rivers just saved the Nuggets from getting swept in Game 4 against the Golden State Warriors.
Rivers has openly spoken about how the opportunity with Denver might be his last as the guard was waived after the 2021 trade deadline by the OKC Thunder (following a trade from the New York Knicks).
After making it to the second round of the 2020-21 playoffs, the Denver Nuggets decided to re-sign Austin Rivers in the offseason and that final opportunity was extended another season. There was the chance that Jamal was going to miss the entire 2021-22 season and Rivers could carve out a role for himself this season.
He finished the 2021-22 campaign averaging six points a game while shooting 34 percent from the 3-point line and starting in 18 games. His role was minimized after signing Davon Reed mid-way through the season as a defensive specialist and he lost further minutes when Bones Hyland broke out in the second half of the season.
But in Game 4 of the first round against the Warriors, Rivers seized the opportunity that presented itself and we’re asking the question once again, is Austin Rivers here to stay? Does he have a role on this roster moving forward?
Rivers played 36 minutes against the Warriors and while he only scored three points on 1-5 shooting, his five steals led the game stellar defense on both Steph Curry and Jordan Poole helped seal the win.
An Austin Rivers defense appreciation post. Effort, yes. But attention to detail and communication stood out to me. And refusing to be screened in DHO action on steal #4?! Brilliant stuff. #Nuggets pic.twitter.com/23Kr2p3ifL
— Chris Dempsey (@chrisadempsey) April 25, 2022
Rivers said after the game that the team was relentless in the win according to Sean Keeler, The Denver Post:
"“We could’ve let go of the rope a couple times. We just kept fighting.“Our physicality has been at the highest it’s been in this series. Our attention to detail, our switching, our communication — I don’t think it’s a coincidence that led to us getting our first victory.”"
Before joining the Nuggets, Rivers was a bit of a journeyman, finding himself on benches across the league as a 3-and-D role player. Personally, I wasn’t convinced he had the ‘D’ element of that equation down pat.
At 6’4″, Rivers is guard-sized and he simply doesn’t have the physical tools to hang with bigger players on the perimeter. Additionally, if his size is limiting him to one of the guard positions, what would that do to the offense since he isn’t a creator with the ball in his hands.
A lot of the offensive questions can be answered with two words: Nikola Jokic, but Austin’s hounding defense on the Dubs’ smaller guards like Steph and Poole is essential in this series.
Rivers finished his press conference confidently:
"“To beat [the Warriors] or to compete versus them, you have to bring that energy, otherwise they’ll walk all over you.“And if they smell fear … then you have no chance against a team like that.”"
Should the Denver Nuggets re-sign Austin Rivers this offseason?
This was one game, one incredible defensive game, but one game. Rivers is also getting this opportunity because Davon Reed, a player who would be the primary option on all of Golden State’s scorers, wasn’t retained for the playoffs.
Should Tim Connelly glean something from one excellent game by Austin Rivers in the playoffs? Let’s say the Nuggets put up a solid fight but lose in Game 5, should Connelly glean something from two solid games?
The backcourt will be crowded next season with Jamal Murray assuming his starting spot, Will Barton (or whoever he’s traded for) starting alongside him, and Monte Morris and Bones off the bench. Despite this defensive success, it’s looking like Rivers’ role will be the third guard off the pine and a situational insertion.
If Michael Malone thinks Rivers can add something for a couple of minutes a game, maybe there’s some merit in bringing him back to Colorado, otherwise, this might be the high point for his Nuggets tenure.
On the bright side, the 29-year-old will likely only be getting offers around the veteran’s minimum so he would be a solid filler player once this core is healthy. Both he and Facundo Campazzo are free agents this offseason and if the Nuggets want to bring back one guard to play situational minutes, Austin Rivers has locked that in.