Denver Nuggets: Which of the veterans will return this offseason?
By Sean Carroll
Should the Denver Nuggets re-sign Austin Rivers?
Austin Rivers said he was lucky that he found the Denver Nuggets two seasons ago when they needed a fill-in for an injured Jamal Murray.
He also said he was lucky to re-sign with the Nuggets this past offseason, mentioning that the opportunity might be his last.
And now here we are, entering Rivers’ possible third season with the team and it looks like he has the inside track to re-signing.
At his end-of-season press conference, Booth said that Rivers is someone the team would look to bring back:
Calvin Booth: I think Austin Rivers is a guy that we would look to bring back.
— Mike Singer (@msinger) May 4, 2022
On DeMarcus, said they'd talk to his representation and see if there's common ground.
Honestly, this was surprising to me. I wrote a week ago that the Nuggets should re-sign Rivers but it’s hardly a priority. Austin will only command the veteran’s minimum and there’s no reason to commit to anything now before you see how the market plays out and if there are any better options out there for the same price tag.
Yes, he had an above-average defensive showing against the Warriors but when this roster’s at full strength, Rivers is deep in the depth chart of guards. Jamal will assume his starting spot, Morris or Barton will be starting alongside him, and Bones Hyland will be the first or second guard off the bench.
Rivers is looking like the third guard off the bench and an injury replacement if needed. Additionally, if Malone really wants a defensive injection, re-signing Davon Reed will help more in that department anyway.
To answer the initial question: no, the Denver Nuggets shouldn’t re-sign Austin Rivers. Unlike Cousins, he doesn’t have a defined role next season when this roster’s at full strength and Denver would be better off using his roster spot on a position that needs more help.