Miami Heat Trade News 2015: Heat Sign Rookie to Contract
With different teams looking to finalize their rosters, the Miami Heat has added even more to budding squad by signing the 40th overall pick Josh Richardson.
According to the sources, the deal consists of a $2.5 million contract that extends for three years.
Only the first year is fully guaranteed and the second year goes to partially guaranteed. The product of the University of Tennessee, Richardson raised eyebrows from being an uninvited player to now a guaranteed contract.
Get Our Latest News for FREE
He is a 6'6 guard who showed his worth and determination by averaging 11.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, 1.7 steals and 1.6 assists in his summer league games in Las Vegas and Orlando. Furthermore, he showed versatility as he could play either guard position and should be able to find some playing time with the Heat.
Miami have silently forged a strong team and are now considered a dark horse contender for the NBA championship coming from the wide-open Eastern Conference.
Richardson can play as reliever for Goran Dragic or Dwyane Wade when the surefire starters go to the bench to rest.
He is likely to be below the pecking order as 10th overall pick Justise Winslow will also play as a guard for the Heat and will surely grab more of the minutes available from the bench.
Richardson should find this time to learn and develop his skills with Wade looking to become the mentor in the club.
Expect the Heat to surprise a lot of teams in the Eastern Conference as they have a deep team, with Hassan Whiteside and Chris Bosh as the focal points in the big men position, while Luol Deng will play the small forward position.
Wade and Dragic are the two starting guards while Gerald Green, and Amar'e Stoudemire came to the team on cheap deals but offer great depth in their bench.
