National Basketball Association

Clippers acquire Austin Rivers, son of coach Doc, in three-team trade

Published Jan. 15, 2015 5:34 p.m. ET

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Austin Rivers has joined the Los Angeles Clippers to play for Doc Rivers in the first father-son, player-coach combination in NBA history.

The Clippers acquired Austin Rivers from the Boston Celtics on Thursday in a deal that included the Phoenix Suns.

Coby Karl was briefly a member of the Denver Nuggets in 2010 under father-coach George Karl, but didn't play during a stint that coincided with his father being on leave for treatment of throat cancer.

In the deal, guard Reggie Bullock went from Los Angeles to Phoenix, forward Shavlik Randolph from Phoenix to Boston, and guard Chris Douglas-Roberts and a 2017 second-round pick from Los Angeles to Boston.

The Celtics acquired Rivers on Monday from New Orleans as part of the three-way deal with Memphis that sent Jeff Green to the Grizzlies.

As Clippers president of basketball operations, the elder Rivers had the authority to sign off on acquiring his 22-year-old son.

Last weekend, Doc Rivers had said he would be open to coaching Austin.

"I think a year ago I probably wouldn't," he said. "I think I would (now) for sure. I think this team could handle that."

Rivers was drafted 10th overall by New Orleans in 2012 after one season at Duke. He averaged 6.8 points, 1.9 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 21.4 minutes in 35 games this season for the Pelicans. In 165 games in three seasons with New Orleans, he averaged 6.9 points, 2.3 assists, 1.9 rebounds and 21.4 minutes

Doc Rivers' other three grown children, Callie, Jeremiah and Spencer, frequently attend Clippers games.

Bullock was drafted by the Clippers with the 25th pick in 2013. The 6-foot-7 former North Carolina star averaged 2.6 points and 10.5 minutes in 25 games this season for the Clippers. In 68 games in two seasons with Los Angeles, he averaged 2.6 points, 1.4 rebounds and 9.7 minutes.

"Reggie Bullock is a talented young player we have liked for a while," Suns general manager Ryan McDonough said. "He shoots the ball very well and he has the potential to be a good perimeter defender."

Douglas-Roberts signed with the Clippers in September. He averaged 1.6 points, 1.0 rebounds and 8.6 minutes in 12 games for Los Angeles this season.

Randolph played 16 games this season for the Suns, averaging 1.1 points, 1.6 rebounds and 6.3 minutes.