Inside The Nuggets

11-Year Veteran Attempting NBA Comeback Sends Out Viral Message

This former NBA lottery pick is still trying to play in the league

Joey Linn

Nov 24, 2018; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards guard John Wall (2) celebrates with Wizards guard Austin Rivers (1) against the New Orleans Pelicans in the fourth quarter at Capital One Arena.
Nov 24, 2018; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards guard John Wall (2) celebrates with Wizards guard Austin Rivers (1) against the New Orleans Pelicans in the fourth quarter at Capital One Arena. / Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
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With very few NBA roster spots available around the league, remaining free agents have a difficult path to joining a team. This is especially the case for veteran players hoping for another opportunity, as teams often opt for roster flexibility or young prospects over veterans.

For 11-year NBA veteran Austin Rivers, he is one of those players hoping for another opportunity. Less vocal about this than other veteran free agents, Rivers has not said much about his desire to reenter the league, but different reports have suggested that is his goal.

Selected 10th overall in 2012, Rivers never became the star-level player he was projected to become, but he did put together a very solid career. Recently working out with five-time NBA All-Star John Wall, who is also hoping for another shot in the league, Rivers shared a message to the former Washington Wizards star on Instagram.

“Still got it more than most... but the politics can weigh heavy these days!! All good though, going to keep making this transition look EZPZ... blessed and highly favored! Always thankful. #mixtapegoats @johnwall we changed the culture broski…”

Rivers credited former professional basketball player Michael Ade Ojo (@bellikemike on Instagram and X) for the photos.

John Wall
Jan 8, 2023; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard John Wall (11) dribbles the ball against Atlanta Hawks guard Dejounte Murray (5) during the fourth quarter at Crypto.com Arena. / Kiyoshi Mio-USA TODAY Sports

Wall reacted to RIvers’ post, writing, “Facts bra ‼️"

As Rivers alluded to, he and Wall are mixtape legends, and have arguably the two greatest high school tapes ever.

Wall and Rivers were teammates for one season on the Wizards, and both hope to land with an NBA team soon.

In his NBA career Rivers has played for the LA Clippers, New Orleans Hornets/Pelicans, Houston Rockets, Denver Nuggets, Minnesota Timberwolves, Wizards, and New York Knicks.

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Joey Linn

JOEY LINN

Title: Credentialed writer covering the NBA for Sports Illustrated's FanNation Email: joeylinn52@gmail.com Education: Communication Studies degree from Biola University Location: Los Angeles, California Expertise: NBA analysis and reporting Experience: Joey Linn is a credentialed writer covering the NBA for Sports Illustrated's FanNation. Covering the LA Clippers independently in 2018, then for Fansided and 213Hoops from 2019-2021, Joey joined Sports Illustrated's FanNation to cover the Clippers after the 2020-21 season. Graduating from Biola University in 2022 with a Communication Studies degree, Joey served as Biola's play-by-play announcer for their basketball, baseball, softball, and soccer teams during his time in school. Joey's work on Biola's broadcasts, combined with his excellence in the classroom, earned him the Outstanding Communication Studies Student of the year award in 2022. Joey covers the NBA full-time across multiple platforms, primarily serving as a credentialed Clippers beat writer.

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