Recently-waived guard Austin Rivers is expected to finalize a deal with the Memphis Grizzlies after he is bought out by the Phoenix Suns, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic.

Rivers was part of a trade that sent him and former teammate Kelly Oubre Jr. to the Suns for veteran swingman Trevor Ariza. Phoenix is expected to waive him and consequently will be forced to pay him over $8 million of his $12.6 million salary after he clears waivers.

The 26-year-old is putting out poor numbers compared to his last two seasons in an L.A. Clippers uniform, posting only 7.2 points, 2.4 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game on the season, following a career-best 15.1 points per game in 2017-18.

His transition to a different offense has become a nightmare for him, as he is shooting only 39.2 percent from the field, 31.1 percent from deep and a ghastly 54.3 percent from the stripe, clearly struggling with the backup role under former coach Scott Brooks.

The Grizzlies are hoping Rivers could inject instant offense at the guard position, something they've lacked besides Mike Conley, having now lost three straight games and five out of their last six.

Memphis once held the top spot in the West, but is now battling for a playoff spot, barely holding onto the eighth seed with the help of a tiebreaker with the Sacramento Kings, who boast the same record at 16-14.