The Los Angeles Clippers have reached an agreement to trade guard Austin Rivers to the Washington Wizards for center Marcin Gortat, two people familiar with the deal told USA TODAY Sports.
They requested anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly until the trade was official.
The Wizards have been looking to move Gortat. That’s no surprise. But the Clippers parting ways with Rivers, the son the Clippers coach Doc Rivers, is a shocker. No one expected that to happen as long as Doc was coaching Los Angeles. But it happened, giving the Wizards backcourt depth.
Rivers, 25, has one year at $12.6 million remaining on his contract.
Acquiring Gortat could signal the end of DeAndre Jordan’s time with the Clippers, too. Jordan is debating opting into the final year of his contract – especially if the Clippers can find a team that will take him (and his $24.1 million contract) via trade.
Both teams announced the deal late Tuesday.
“Acquiring Austin gives us another versatile, experienced player who provides scoring and playmaking,” Wizards general manager Ernie Grunfeld said in a statement[1].
“He is coming off a career year and his ability to create offense for himself and others will help our second unit and allow us to play a variety of lineups throughout the season.”
On Gortat, Grunfeld said: “We appreciate Marcin’s contributions during his time with us and wish him the best moving forward. He is a very durable professional who helped the team in many ways to become a perennial playoff contender and set an example with his work in the community both in D.C. and in his native country of Poland.”
Clippers president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank released the following statement: “We are excited to welcome Marcin Gortat to the Clippers, a respected player that brings years of NBA experience and additional toughness to this team. We’ve been a fan of Marcin’s for some time and this decision will help rebalance the roster by adding another proven big man to the front court.
“Austin’s development as a player is a testament to his work ethic and desire to improve. We experienced a lot of success with Austin and are grateful for his contributions during his four seasons with the club. The Clippers wish Brittany and Austin all the best in Washington.”
References
- ^ Ernie Grunfeld said in a statement (www.nba.com)
