After reading the article I think it's pretty clear (if true they don't pick it up) that they don't expect Rivers to make a big jump.
Dell is basically betting against Rivers that he won't be worth that small amount. If he expected Rivers to make any significant jump then like the article brings out it simply doesn't make sense to not opt in.
This either speaks volumes about Dell's evaluation of Rivers if it ends up true or it tips his hand that he really wants to make a move near deadline.
Either way I don't like it.
In a weird way this feels like what Houston did with Chandler Parsons. In no way do I mean talent wise but it just feels like they are trying to get just a little bit too cute with their moves and I'd hate for it to come back and bite us like it did Houston.