The framework of a three-team trade between the Celtics, Grizzlies and Pelicans was coming into focus, but now an additional player has been included in the deal as it moves towards becoming finalized.
Austin Rivers, son of former Celtics head coach Doc Rivers, is evidently heading to Boston as part of the exchange.
From Marc Stein of ESPN.com:ESPN sources say New Orleans is poised to join Memphis/Boston deal for Jeff Green ... with Austin Rivers going to Celts
As deal currently stands, I’m told Boston receives both Austin Rivers & Tayshaun Prince ... with Jeff Green winding up in Memphis as planned
Remains to be seen if deal is pushed through today or if it waits until league office opens Monday. But the three teams have agreed to terms
Rivers has been fairly consistent from a numbers perspective in New Orleans, if underwhelming, at best. Now in his third NBA season, he’s averaging 6.8 points and 2.5 assists in 22.1 minutes per contest, but is shooting just 38.7 percent from the field on the season.
As for his being traded, the writing was on the wall since before the season began. The Pelicans declined Rivers’ contract option for next season, meaning he’d be an unrestricted free agent after this one -- so why not trade him to get something in return, instead of just seeing him leave the organization on his own.