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Austin Rivers, Washington Wizards, Nikola Mirotic, New Orleans Pelicans

WASHINGTON, DC – NOVEMBER 24: Austin Rivers #1 of the Washington Wizards handles the ball against the New Orleans Pelicans on November 24, 2018 at Capital One Arena in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Stephen Gosling/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Austin Rivers, Houston Rockets

For better or for worse, Austin Rivers comes with a reputation.

He has played his entire basketball career in the spotlight and has sometimes struggled living up to the pressure of his family name and the expectations that come with it. He struggled early in his career and that only further cemented a narrative that he underachieved.

But that is actually pretty far from the truth. Rivers has had his ups and downs through his career, but he has found his stride.

Playing for the LA Clippers, Rivers started to establish himself as a tough-minded bench guard, able to play either guard position and hold the boat steady. Then he slowly gained a bit more of a reputation as someone who could attack off the dribble and score a bit more.

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His playoff performance against the Portland Trail Blazers in 2016 when he returned after getting bloodied in a series that decimated his team with injuries helped him gain a lot more respect. He is someone winning teams sought.

Rivers’ run with the Washington Wizards last year did not work out — he averaged only 7.2 points per game in 29 appearances before they traded him to the Phoenix Suns in a salary dump. Rivers eventually latched on with the Houston Rockets, where he averaged 8.7 points per game and 2.3 assists per game in 47 appearances, averaging 28.6 minutes per game.

The Rockets needed Rivers for the boost off the bench. He gave them some good stability and presence, helping take over some of the ball-handling duties with the reserve unit. And he provided some solid defense overall. He was just someone the coaches could trust.

That has really been where Rivers’ reputation has been built.

He is not a perfect player. A lot of those early criticisms he faced have some validity.

Rivers still struggles as a shooter. His ability to hit from beyond the arc comes and goes. He is a solid defender, but can still go through poor stretches.

But for a team that needs some playoff experience and someone who can step up on the big stage, Rivers has proven he can do that.

This is not a guy any team should rely wholly on. But he could be a decent role player that you can get on a bargain. He certainly will not command the $12 million salary he made in 2019.