Orlando Magic: Is Austin Rivers worth looking at?

The Orlando Magic are in a good place right now, but would bringing in free agent Austin Rivers help their cause at all?

Fresh off an important trip to Mexico that ended in two wins for the Orlando Magic, the feeling around the organization is again one of optimism. They have solidified their playoff credentials as a potential playoff team, and have demonstrated grit and determination to win close games.

But despite all of these good feelings, it would be foolish to look at the Magic’s roster as it is currently constructed and not think about certain changes that could take them to the next level. This is a team that seems done with returning to the lottery each year.

While there are players out there that could be inquired about via trade, essentially all potential deals would require the Magic giving up one of Aaron Gordon, Jonathan Isaac or rookie Mohamed Bamba. Right now this is not a good idea, as they continue trying to see what they have with all three players on the roster.

The eventual ascension of former players like Tobias Harris and Victor Oladipo serves as a painful reminder of why it often doesn’t pay to give up on young talent without giving them every chance to develop.

So with the right trade not looking viable, for now at least, should the Magic look to any free agents that will become increasingly available between now and the trade deadline in February? More specifically, what about guard Austin Rivers?

Rivers was hardly off the plane from the Washington Wizards when he was waived by the Phoenix Suns in a deal that brought Kelly Oubre Jr. with him and sent Trevor Ariza to the nation’s capital to play for a Wizards organization that he’s suited up for 133 times in the past.

The move seemed strange by the Suns, who are going nowhere and have a need for additional depth to add to their backcourt rotation. Their hasty decision to cut ties with Rivers may benefit the Magic, however, as they are also in need of more options in their backcourt.

D.J. Augustin has done an admirable job as the starter in Orlando this season, to the point where he is reaching cult hero status. Backup Jerian Grant, however, looks every bit the player who is on his third team in his fourth season in the league.

His 3-point shooting (34.5 percent) has been useful off the bench, but beyond that he has been forgettable. Isaiah Briscoe is there as well, but he has appeared in only 10 games, averaging seven minutes per contest.

Surely then it would be worth bringing in Rivers until the end of the season to see what he could offer? If nothing else, he has shown to be a decent creator on the court, something that there has been a shortage of on the court at times for the Magic this season.

Well, not so fast. There are actually quite a few reasons to pass up on Rivers, even if this does look like a low-risk, potentially high-reward kind of move. Firstly, his attitude has been called into question on a number of occasions since he entered the league.

While we don’t know for certain how Rivers would jell in the Magic’s locker room, there is no question the team has a nice chemistry at the moment. It is one of their strengths and something head coach Steve Clifford has clearly worked on.

Adding Rivers to that mix has the potential to backfire in a big way. After all, you have to think there’s a reason the Wizards gave up on him after less than half a season, and the Suns weren’t interested in keeping him either.

A quick glance at the numbers and Rivers is averaging fewer assists per game (2.0) than Grant (3.3), while also having a lower 3-point percentage (31.1 percent). The Wizards did give up 110.3 points when he was on the court, notably better than the 112.2 they’re averaging for the season, reinforcing the fact he is at least competent in that area.

Looking at the positives though, and Rivers may now realize that he is playing for his spot in the league. As a result, if he were picked up by the Magic he could turn in the best performances of his career, all while trying to secure another contract next summer.

For a team like the Magic that is chasing the playoffs, that would be very valuable. Rivers is also a hometown kid, having played his high school basketball in Winter Park. That alone isn’t reason to bring him back, but there would be a feel-good element to it.

Really though, this just looks like a case of it being a good deal on paper that could go wrong for the Orlando Magic. The trip to Mexico has them feeling good again, and there is no need to mess that up by bringing in a player in Austin Rivers with a questionable reputation and modest output.

As of now, he wouldn’t even be a huge upgrade over Jerian Grant, although it is also fair to say Rivers is the better player of the two. This is one player they should not go after, as more will become available as the season progresses, with better fits sure to pop up too.