Phoenix Suns Releases Austin Rivers Two Days after Trade Agreement

Rivers with the Clippers in 2017. Photo by Keith Allison/Wikipedia

The Phoenix Suns agreed to release guard Austin Rivers on Monday, just two days after joining the team from the Washington Wizards

According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Suns made the decisions after realizing the 26-year-old would best fit an established team looking for a veteran to help seal a spot in the playoffs.

“After trade with Wizards, Suns agree to part ways with G Austin Rivers, per ESPN sources. Rivers—earning $2.6M in final year of deal—becomes a free agent upon clearing waivers. As a veteran, sides concluded Rivers fits better on an older team that’s pursuing playoffs,” Wojnarowski tweeted.

On Saturday, the Suns almost completed a trade with the Wizards that involved Trevor Ariza, Rivers and Kelly Oubre. The deal fell through when the Grizzlies disagreed with the Suns as to which “Brooks” should be traded. Phoenix then contacted the Wizards to acquire Rivers in exchange for Ariza.

Rivers, who is averaging 7.2 points, 2 assists and 2.4 rebounds per game this season, previously played for the Clippers until June this year. He was traded to the Washington Wizards for center Marcin Gortat and later to the Suns on Monday.

Despite playing in the NBA for seven seasons, Rivers’ best career average is 15. Points, 4 rebounds and 2.4 assists. He is, however, a versatile player could add depth to some of the top NBA teams.

Gunner's favorite movies are Pulp Fiction, Iron Man (just the first one), and every James Bond film ever made. He's learning TV and cinema and hoping to always enjoy movies as he does now.