Okay, let’s be real for a second. You’re scrolling through old highlight reels and suddenly boom—Austin Rivers crosses someone over, hits a step-back three, and does that little shoulder shimmy. And you think: wait, is that guy still in the NBA? I’m genuinely asking because the league moves fast. One minute you’re the son of a coaching legend, the next you’re a trivia answer.
Here’s the short answer: yes, Austin Rivers is technically still in the NBA. But it’s complicated. And by “complicated,” I mean it’s the kind of situation where your friend says they’re “seeing someone” but can’t show you a text message.
The Last Sighting
You might remember him as a pesky defender for the Denver Nuggets a couple of years ago. He was actually pretty solid, hitting big shots in the playoffs. I remember watching him guard Damian Lillard and thinking, “Okay, this guy still has juice.” Then, poof. He kind of vanished.
Must Read
He spent the 2022-23 season with the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Timberwolves again. Wait, that's not a typo—he was on the Wolves, then got waived, then signed a 10-day, then got a second 10-day. It was like watching someone try to get into a club with a fake ID. Persistent, but not quite working.
After that? Crickets. He became a free agent in the summer of 2023. And free agency for a veteran guard in today’s NBA is like being the last slice of pizza at a party—everyone’s full, and you’re just sitting there getting cold.
Austin Rivers returns to Rockets, NBA bubble
So, Is He Actually Playing?
As of right now, no. He hasn’t signed with any team for the 2023-24 or 2024-25 seasons. He’s an unrestricted free agent. Which is a fancy way of saying he’s available, but nobody’s calling. Ouch.
But here’s the wild part: he’s only 32 years old. In real life, 32 is young. In NBA years, 32 is like 45 in dog years for a guard. Unless your name is Chris Paul or you have a time machine, teams start looking at younger, cheaper, hungrier prospects.
Report: Austin Rivers leaves NBA campus for family matter | NBA.com
And let’s be honest—Austin Rivers is a known commodity. You know exactly what you’re getting: tough defense, a decent three-point shot, and the occasional “dad, I’m mad” energy on the court. But is that enough in a league that wants 6’8” wings who can do everything? Probably not.
The Doc Rivers Effect
You can’t talk about Austin without mentioning his dad. It’s the elephant in the room, right? Doc has coached him on three different teams (Clippers, 76ers, and briefly with the Bucks). That’s a lot of family dinners that turn into film sessions.
Some people say being Doc’s son helped him get extra chances. Others say it hurt him because everyone expects more from you. Either way, it’s a weird dynamic. Imagine your boss is your dad. Now imagine your dad is also your coach. Now imagine your dad getting fired. Yikes.
Austin Rivers | Denver Nuggets | NBA.com
The real question is: does Austin still want to play? Because I’ve seen guys hold on too long. They end up in the G League or playing in Turkey, posting sad Instagram stories from hotel rooms. Austin seems smarter than that. He’s got a podcast now. He’s a TV analyst sometimes. He’s building a life outside of basketball.
The Verdict (Don’t Shoot the Messenger)
Look, I love Austin Rivers. I love the swagger, the storylines, and that one game where he dropped 41 points on the Warriors. He’s a fun player to root for. But the NBA is a cold business. It doesn't care about your feelings or your highlights from 2016.
Thunder waive guard Austin Rivers | NBA.com
Right now, he’s not on an NBA roster. Could he get a call tomorrow if someone gets hurt? Absolutely. That’s how the league works. One tweaked hamstring and boom—you’re a Miami Heat legend for two weeks. But as of today, he’s in that weird limbo. He’s not retired, but he’s not active. He’s... NBA-adjacent.
So, to answer your question: Is Austin Rivers still in the NBA? Sort of. He’s like that friend who still has their college ID but never goes to the gym. He’s on the list, but he’s not at the party. And honestly? He might be happier that way.
But don’t count him out. He’s a Rivers. They’re stubborn. If I see a random report in February that the Spurs signed him to a 10-day, I won’t even blink. That’s just Austin being Austin. Until then, grab some coffee, watch his old clips, and smile. The man is a meme, a legend, a maybe all rolled into one. And that’s okay.