The Miami Heat were patient with wing Josh Richardson throughout his four seasons in South Beach after they made him a second-round pick back in 2015.
It paid off big time. Richardson improved each season he was with Miami, going for a career-best 16.6 points, 3.6 rebounds and 4.1 assists in 2018-19.
This ultimately led to Richardson being the centerpiece in a four-team trade that sent him to the Philadelphia 76ers with Jimmy Butler heading to Miami.
It also doesn’t appear that Richardson is too bent out of shape. In fact, he sent this pretty awesome message to Pat Riley and the Heat organization one day after the trade.
“Miami, thank you. Thank you for giving this kid and opportunity that otherwise I’m not sure he would have gotten,” Richardson wrote. “Thank you to the coaches and my teammates.. Thank u to the fans for embracing me.. my years there have been great and i will never forget you guys.. always love.”
That’s all class right there.
The Sixers are also getting a high-character young player to help fill the void following Butler’s departure. Just 25 years old, Richardson joins a championship core and has not yet hit his prime.
With a mentality like this, the wing could be a central fixture in Philly for years to come.