Philadelphia 76ers: Jimmy Butler sign-and-trade scenarios with the Miami Heat
. SG/SF. Miami Heat. Josh Richardson. 1. player. 110
If the Philadelphia 76ers engage in a sign-and-trade for Jimmy Butler, Josh Richardson almost has to be included in the deal.
Measuring in at 6-foot-6, 200 pounds, Richardson is easily the crown jewel of the Heat’s current war chest of players, Richardson is entering his fifth season in the league, and is practically tailor-made to play on the wings in this modern NBA.
In 2019, Richardson put up career-high numbers at (pretty much) every stat, averaging 16.6 points, 4.1 assists, 3.6 rebounds, and 1.1 steals a game while knocking down 35.7 percent of his 6.3 3 point shots a game.
While his career 3 point shooting percentages is only slightly above the NBA average (36.8), Richardson has steadily attempted more and more outside shots with each passing season and has seen his points per game follow suit as a result.
But much like Butler – who is a less effective shooter then Richardson from 3 (34.1 over his career) – the best part of Richardson’s game is actually his defense.
Over the last three seasons, Richardson has earned a positive defensive Real Plus-Minus rating from ESPN, topping out at a positive .62 in 2017-18. Are those numbers as good as Butler’s? Nope, but that’s why the Heat could consider flipping Richardson for Butler; Butler is an upgrade over Richardson pretty much across the board, but the difference between the two as a second or third offensive option on the wings is marginal.
Josh Richardson is a fantastic guard/forward with the size, speed, and defensive versatility to start at either the two or the three, and could be an invaluable secondary playmaker alongside Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid in the Sixers starting five.
While he would be a consolation prize for losing Jimmy Butler, for about a third as much money each year, there’s a lot to like in such a move.