NBA Draft: How Would Austin Rivers Change Culture of Celtics by Playing for Dad?

Here's perhaps the most simple lead into a column you may read today: Austin Rivers can ball.

That much is certain and not many people, unless you truly hate Duke with a passion, will disagree with that concept. He's a great scorer who didn't necessarily fit into the style of play that Mike Krzyzewski implements for his Blue Devils.

Rivers, along with Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, may be the most ready and for sure guard prospects—that don't seem to have a knock on their overall game—to come out of college in the last few years.

Now that he's declared for the NBA Draft and will be a projected top ten, maybe top five pick come summer time, the biggest storyline that's surrounding Rivers isn't when he'll be drafted, but where he'll be drafted.

And the one city that always comes up when his name pops up in discussion?

Boston.

The city where Doc Rivers, his father, coaches.

Earlier today, ESPN Boston released a story saying that Austin would enjoy the thought of coming to the historic franchise and play for Dad.

"If that was to happen, I would love to," Rivers said. "I would love to play for any organization in the NBA. That's my dream. It would be great. It would be different. It would be an interesting aspect just to play for my dad."

Everyone talks about the possibility of a father-and-son duo brewing in Bean Town. The talks are unreal when discussing how Austin and Doc will work together, and even if they can coexist if things get a little testy during a game.

It's a beautiful thought to think of, despite the future of the Celtics quickly and suddenly becoming more uncertain by the minute. 

What's going to happen to the original "Big 3" at the end of this year? With so many talks regarding Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen and Paul Pierce not in the long-term plans, what happens to the core of Boston? And is Danny Ainge really certain about parting ways with the three men that brought Boston back to NBA glory just a few years ago?

And more importantly, who would Rajon Rondo pass the ball to?

The Celtics missed a chance to move one, two, or maybe even all three of those guys to try and stock up in the draft for a possibility to move up and grab Rivers wherever he's projected to go. They didn't do that, so the chances of that are becoming limited.

But before we talk about what may happen if he gets there, let's look at some key components and questions for Boston as they head towards the summer.

No. 1: The Celtics have two first-round picks going into the draft. Good in theory, but with the Celtics in playoff contention and their other pick from the Clippers, they have two picks greater than No. 15. Would any lottery team sacrifice their spot to get a top-notch player of their own, and trade down significantly to allow Boston a chance to build for the future?

No. 2: Allen and Garnett are in the last years of their contracts and will become free agents at the end of the year. What does Boston do with them? 

No. 3: Do the Celtics trade Pierce with one year left on his deal? Even at 34 years old, he's averaging 19 points a game and can still contribute in a huge way. Does Boston take the chance, trade him and move up to a team that could use some veteran leadership?

You can twirl those thoughts around in your mind for awhile, if you want. 

But, for all intents and purposes, let's say these options do happen. And let's say that Boston does get the deal it wants and trades up to lottery-type level to grab Rivers. And no star, except for Rondo, is left on that team. What happens?

To start, you have one exciting backcourt with Rondo and Rivers that you can build the franchise around. Rondo is arguably the best pass-first point guard in the league and having someone on his side to kick the ball to and make plays would be a dream in heaven for those two.

The frontcourt even has some young promise of its own with JaJuan Johnson from Purdue, who will get some extended minutes next year, and Greg Stiemsma who was a nice diamond in the rough for Boston at certain points this season. Doc can plug someone at small forward and you've got yourself a young team that's raw, but one with all the talent in the world.

Austin would be the Paul Pierce of the future, so to speak. He would be the one to score over 20 points a game, get the majority of the shots and take the last shot with the game on the line. And we've seen certain points this college season where Rivers is the guy to make the plays when they matter most.

But here's the thing that Celtic fans will have to cope with: It would take a few years to see Boston back in title, or even playoff contention.

No need to worry about lockout-shortened seasons, but it's going to take time for everything to come together to bring the Celtics back to perennial contention.

The Eastern Conference isn't filled with mediocre teams at the bottom anymore.

But if it were to happen, what's not to say a couple more pieces here and there to add to the depth could make the Celtics a force to be reckoned with down the road?

It worked with the Oklahoma City Thunder and—at the time—an unknown coach in Scott Brooks and two talented players in Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant.

What's not to say that Doc Rivers can't take a heaping amount of young talent and turn it into something special in a few years?

And, who knows? Father's Day at the Rivers' household could be sweet with a couple of Larry O'Brien trophies sitting around; Austin and Doc celebrating with champagne. 

If it's in the next few years, it may need to be soda or something. Austin's still under legal age.