Ainge with the sneaky genius move of trading Austin Rivers to the team whose 1st rounder we own

Talk about a trojan horse move. The Celtics own the Clippers 1st rounder this year due to allowing Doc Rivers to coach in L.A. The pick shouldn't end up being all that great, since the Clippers are a stacked team (and Doc is a good coach), but it's still a 1st rounder. Besides acquiring a 2nd rounder for a player the Celtics didn't want in Austin Rivers, the added bonus of the trade is that Austin has been such a poor NBA player during his first few years in the league, that he might lead the Clippers to a few more losses (and a better pick for the Celtics).

Of course this post is a bit tongue-in-cheek and I'm very well aware that "1 game is only 1 game" and the limitations of +/-, but in his debut the Clippers lost to the Cavs 126 to 121 in Los Angeles. Rivers finished with a +/- of -18 in just 11 and a half minus played. He was 0 for 4 from the floor and finished with 1 assist and 1 turnover. -18 is pretty hard to do in so little playing time. Takes some serious non-skill. Not saying the Clippers would have won if Rivers hadn't played, but not saying they wouldn't have.


A loss for the Clippers is a win for the Celtics. Thanks Doc and Austin. Keep it up.