The Minnesota Timberwolves needed point guard depth on its roster and signing Austin Rivers to a vet-minimum deal is a home run play by the front office.

Rivers is a veteran point guard who has had some ups and downs since entering the league. The former Duke Blue Devil was a top-10 pick and was quickly traded to the Los Angeles Clippers after two and a half seasons with the New Orleans Pelicans.

Why is that significant? Well, playing for your dad (Doc Rivers) will create a lot of headlines. There’s always the constant distraction of, “is he getting minutes because he’s the coach’s son?”

In reality, Rivers is a good basketball player, and getting out of Los Angeles was in his best interest. Despite being a top draft pick, Rivers hasn’t exactly lived up to the hype.

He’s a good scorer who can help the Timberwolves if they need bench production. The 29-year-old averaged 6.0 points on 41.2 percent from the field and 34.9 from 3.

Those stats don’t seem like much, but he can easily go off for 25-30 points any given night. Rivers has scored a season-high 25 points in three straight seasons.

Minnesota needs more veteran leaders on this team and having him come off the bench in late-game situations or the playoffs is a good thing.

Jordan McLaughlin is likely ahead of him on the depth chart, but that’s OK. Rivers can be a third option or play alongside him in some lineup combinations.

Minnesota needed to add depth at its point guard position. Before signing Rivers, the Timberwolves only had D’Angelo Russell and McLaughlin as their two main guys. Jaylen Nowell, Wendell Moore Jr. and Anthony Edwards can handle the ball, but not for prolonged periods.

Russell has dealt with injuries his whole career, which means he’ll likely miss some games this season. Having Rivers come off the bench or start is a luxury to have. Both McLaughlin and Rivers can hold down the fort for a couple of games at a time.

Not only can he score, but Rivers has developed into a good perimeter defender.

Make no mistake, Rivers will surprise many people this season. He’s a two-way guard that will be a veteran leader in the locker room.

The Timberwolves made it a point to sign veteran players who have been there before. The former Blue Devil has played in 60 playoff games. That is immensely important for a team that will be itching to make it past the first round for the second time in franchise history.

Minnesota filled a need at point guard. Their next move is likely to add a big and keep the final roster spot open. Adding Rivers was a home run, and the Timberwolves are another step closer to building a contender in the Land of 10,000 Lakes.