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Duke Blue Devils: Rivers Re-signs with the Clips

By John Woodcock

Apr 29, 2016; Portland, OR, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Austin Rivers (25) wipes blood and sweat from his face in a game against the Portland Trail Blazers during the second half in game six of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at Moda Center at the Rose Quarter. The Trail Blazers won 106-103. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 29, 2016; Portland, OR, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Austin Rivers (25) wipes blood and sweat from his face in a game against the Portland Trail Blazers during the second half in game six of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at Moda Center at the Rose Quarter. The Trail Blazers won 106-103. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports /
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Former Duke Blue Devils guard Austin Rivers decided to stay with his current team and got a big new contract from the Los Angeles Clippers.

The Duke Blue Devils already achieved one free agent payday when Luol Deng signed with the Los Angeles Lakers. They added another one when another former Duke player also signed in Los Angeles, just with the Clippers. That Duke player was Austin Rivers and he did not have to change teams as a result.

Rivers signed a three year thirty-five million dollar deal to stay with the Los Angeles Clippers according to reports from Adrian Wojnarowski of the Vertical. The combo guard joins a long list of players who are making contracts that would make no sense just a year or two back.

Rivers will be expected to provide bench time at both guard spots. This was critically important when Chris Paul broke his hand during the playoffs last season. Rivers will also be on hand if the once and future NBA Sixth Man of the Year Jamal Crawford decides to sign elsewhere this off season.

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Another observation from Ananth Pandian of CBS Sports was that this move effectively ate much of the cap room the Clippers were toying with. As a result, they will most likely not be gaining the services of one Kevin Durant.

Rivers has done a lot to revive his career after some disappointing early seasons with the New Orleans Pelicans. Whether that is because of the poor situation in New Orleans, greater maturity now versus then, or his father knowing how to get the best from him, Rivers has become a good role player for the Clippers. Time is still on his side too and he could continue to get better.

Next: Deng to the Lakers

This move suggests the Clippers are going with continuity rather than a major change. They have a roster that works, but have simply been unable to keep everyone healthy at the right times. Maybe it will finally happen this year.

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