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Wednesday, October 1, 2014

Jason Richardson might not actually play for the Sixers this season

Check out the original article from Philly.com, here.
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Jason Richardson will be the Sixers highest paid player this season, but that does not guarantee that the swingman is going to hit the hardwood.

After missing all of last season recovering from knee surgery, the 33-year old is expected to make his return for the Sixers this season.  However, it is yet to be seen whether he will actually play. While speaking to media members at Monday’s Media Day, Sixers GM Sam Hinkie was non-committal about Richardson’s role on-court for the Sixers.

“We’ll see,” Hinkie replied when asked if Richardson would have a role with the team this year, before following up with a quick qualifier and emphasizing Richardson’s off-court impact on the team.


“He’ll definitely have a role as a voice on our team. He was helpful in that last year. He wasn’t able to contribute for us on the floor, but he contributed in lots of other ways.”

As a veteran with 12 years of experience and a career scoring average of over 17 points per game, Richardson’s knowledge could be very valuable in a locker room leadership-type role, especially with the absence of other NBA-experienced individuals.

The reality however is that a young team dedicated to development with no immediate intention to contend, such as the Sixers, can’t afford many minutes to an aging veteran that has no future with the franchise. Richardson certainly understood the situation when he opted in for the final year of his contract in July.
Image from rankopedia.com 

 “We talked to him over the summer about that several times,” Hinkie revealed. “We thanked him for all that he had done in that environment, and I suspect that he will be able to pick that up.”

Richardson is certainly suited to serve again as a voice for the Sixers’ rebuilding roster, but the former Michigan State Spartan has higher hopes that involve hitting the hardwood. Hinkie echoed those hopes.

“He’s hopeful, and we’re hopeful, that he’ll be able to do more.”

More mean, of course, on-court contribution.   

“If he can play, that will be great and he’ll be able to help us. Also if he can play, I think that would give him an even bigger voice.”

Notice that the possibility of Richardson playing was preceded by an ‘if’ from Hinkie, meaning that there is chance he won’t.

Like most of the other players who hope to suit up for the Sixers this season, Richardson’s role is far from set in stone. He is the most experienced player on a team teeming with young talent, and that in itself is valuable. If Richardson is able to play, compete, and contribute at a level deemed acceptable by the team, he may see some minutes. Otherwise, Richardson may be facing another season on the sideline, his contributions coming off of the court.

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