Austin Rivers Returning to Rockets on 2-Year Contract
By Jared Kish
The Houston Rockets have finally made a somewhat significant move after almost a full day of NBA free agency passed.
Austin Rivers will reportedly be re-signing on a two-year contract, with the second year being a player option.
Austin Rivers has agreed to a two-year deal to return the Houston Rockets, per @wojespn. pic.twitter.com/lbSNArvWLm
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) July 1, 2019
Rivers was first brought to Houston last year after starting point guard Chris Paul missed time due to a hamstring injury. The signing provided the Rockets with needed point guard depth after he was waived by the Suns immediately following a trade wit hthe Wizards.
Rivers has bounced around the league, playing for the Pelicans, Clippers, Wizards and Rockets.
Free agent guard Austin Rivers has agreed to a two-year deal to return to the Houston Rockets, league source tells ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 1, 2019
The Rockets' backup point guard provided valuable minutes off the bench this past year, averaging 28.6 minutes and shooting 40.6% from the field.
Rivers is also the third Rockets bench player to agree to stay in Houston after Danuel House and Gerald Green both re-signed on Sunday.
Austin Rivers has re-signed with the #Rockets. Just two weeks ago, Rivers talked about wanting to play with James Harden and Chris Paul: “Yeah. I'd love to. Both Hall of Fame players." https://t.co/jnmEuOTbTE
— Alykhan Bijani (@Rockets_Insider) July 1, 2019
The veteran Rivers will get his opportunity to continue backing up CP3 and Harden for at least another year.