The Los Angeles Lakers have been stirring the pot once again, with the focus now on the future of Rivers, the 28-year-old point guard whose contract expires next year, making him a potential free agent. Will the Lakers reach a new agreement with him? And will there still be room for him in their future lineup? These questions linger like an unanswered mystery, clouding the minds of Lakers fans.
ESPN's well-known journalist, Windhorst, has made his stance clear, setting the possibility of a Rivers extension at zero. From a statistical standpoint, Rivers had an impressive regular season performance last year, averaging 20.2 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 5.8 assists per game—numbers that could easily classify him as a star point guard. Given such figures, one might think he’s certainly deserving of a more lucrative contract.
展开剩余80%However, it's important to remember that simply looking at the stats doesn't tell the full story; it’s also about on-court performance. Analysts suggest that considering his overall contributions, a salary of $20 million per year might be more fitting.
Things took a downturn when the postseason arrived. Rivers' scoring dropped to 16.4 points per game, and his physical limitations, along with a lack of defensive prowess, became glaringly obvious in the high-pressure playoff environment. It's like comparing a fast sports car that zooms down a regular street but falls apart when pushed to its limits on a racing track.
During the offseason, the Lakers showed solid commitment by offering Rivers a four-year, $89 million contract, which averages over $20 million annually. However, Rivers rejected the offer outright, expressing his desire for a contract worth $40 million per year, the maximum amount he could earn as a free agent next season. This situation can be likened to a market where the seller proposes a fair price, only for the buyer to demand an unreasonable figure, making any deal unlikely.
Looking at this year’s preseason, the Lakers' performance was disastrous whenever Rivers and Doncic shared the floor. To put it mildly, it was nothing short of a disaster. In one game against the Suns, the team’s bench players—Butler and former Lakers’ player Goodwin—outshone Rivers and Doncic. Butler posted 35 points, 7 rebounds, and 9 assists, while Goodwin contributed 24 points, 4 rebounds, and 6 assists. Rivers and Doncic were simply overpowered by these role players, and it was an embarrassing sight for the Lakers.
Clearly, Rivers and the Lakers aren't a good fit. Both players are strong offensively but weak defensively, and when they share the court, the Lakers’ defense crumbles like paper. It’s like trying to cook a dish that lacks either the main ingredients or the seasoning—it just doesn’t work.
At this point, it's all but certain that Rivers will opt out of his contract. But whether any team will be willing to offer him a $40 million salary in the free market remains to be seen. It’s possible that after facing rejection from multiple teams, the Lakers might have an opportunity to sign him for a much lower price.
However, a more prudent move could be for the Lakers to trade Rivers while his value is still relatively high. This would allow them to search for a defensively solid player to pair with Doncic, fundamentally changing the team’s dynamic. After all, in basketball, only with a balanced offensive and defensive approach can a team truly contend for a championship.
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