The Philadelphia 76ers had an interest in signing Austin Rivers in free agency, but his dad—Sixers coach Doc Rivers—told his son not to sign with the club.

Austin, who played for the Houston Rockets last season, wound up signing with the New York Knicks on a three-year deal worth $9.9 million.

Doc explained to Marc Berman of the New York Post why he urged his son to stay away from the Sixers.

“He was high on Philly’s list before I took the job,” new Sixers coach Doc Rivers said about his son, Austin Rivers. “It was one of the guards they wanted. When I took the job, I said, ‘You don’t want that. You got too many other things we have to deal with.'

“For Austin it’s better. He’s his own player. Unfortunately for him, me being the dad, he’s just an easy guy to target. I have felt since the separation, it’s been really good for him.”

Rivers coached Austin for three and a half seasons on the L.A. Clippers. During that time, there were rumors that players on the Clippers were upset with Doc's alleged preferential treatment toward Austin, so it looks like the 2008 champion coach wanted to avoid that happening again on the Sixers.

Philadelphia acquired Seth Curry from the Dallas Mavericks and Danny Green from the Oklahoma City Thunder, getting the shooters they needed around All-Stars Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid.

Sixers fans are hoping Doc Rivers can be the head coach who takes the franchise to the promised land with Simmons and Embiid as the main cogs.