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Philadelphia 76ers rumors: Will Jason Richardson play again?

By Andrew Melnick

Dec 21, 2012; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard Jason Richardson (23) is defended by Atlanta Hawks guard Louis Williams (3) during the second quarter at the Wells Fargo Center. The Sixers defeated the Hawks 99-80. Mandatory Credit: Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 21, 2012; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard Jason Richardson (23) is defended by Atlanta Hawks guard Louis Williams (3) during the second quarter at the Wells Fargo Center. The Sixers defeated the Hawks 99-80. Mandatory Credit: Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports /
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When the Philadelphia 76ers traded away forward Andre Iguodala to the Denver Nuggets to acquire center Andrew Bynum in the four-team deal that sent Dwight Howard to the Los Angeles Lakers, they had to take on the contract of veteran guard Jason Richardson from the Orlando Magic.

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Richardson was once a very good shooter and fantastic dunker but Kevin Pelton of ESPN.com doesn’t believe that Richardson will ever play again.

"Pretty low. Barring a report to the contrary, I’m assuming Richardson will never be able to play competitive basketball again. Usually, when teams hold on to a player like that, it’s so their salary can be used in a trade. That’s not an issue for Philadelphia, which can use cap space to complete such trades."

It was clear Richardson was in a decline when he struggled after being dealt from the Phoenix Suns to the Orlando Magic in the Vince Carter trade.

Richardson didn’t play the entire 2013-2014 season and played in just 33 games in the 2012-2013 season. He averaged 10.5 points, 3.8 assists, 1.5 assists and 1.2 steals per game while shooting 40.2% from the field, 34.1% from beyond the arc and 60.6% from the free throw line. Richardson was originally drafted by the Golden State Warriors with the fifth-overall pick in the first round of the 2001 NBA Draft and has since played for the Charlotte Bobcats (Hornets), Suns, Magic and 76ers. In his 12-year career, he has averaged 17.6 points, 5.0 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.2 steals per game while shooting 44.0% from the floor, 37.1% from three and 70.7% from the charity stripe.

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