Denver Nuggets: 3 free agents to avoid this offseason
By Sean Carroll
Denver Nuggets free agents to avoid: Josh Richardson
Josh Richardson is coming off his worst professional season since breaking onto the scene with the Miami Heat in the 2017-18 season.
The Dallas Mavericks traded for J. Rich after a down year the season prior with the Philadelphia 76ers, hoping to buy low on a distressed asset, but it didn’t work.
Even the most loyal Richardson fans (myself included) has to be wondering if this is it for the wing. This past season he put up averages of 12.1 points, 2.6 assists, and shot a career-low 33 percent from the 3-point line.
While his inside shooting got better (career-high 64 percent at the rim), his failing 3-pointer hurts his game as it limits his effectiveness of the catch, and defenses can help off of him. These numbers also came next to Luka Doncic who is excellent at finding open looks for teammates.
Richardson has a Player Option next season worth $11.6 million and it’s hard to see him getting more than that on the open market.
If he does opt out and become a free agent, I’d like him on Denver for much less than that initial number. If he’d look better on a smaller contract, it’s probably in his best financial interest to just take the option and try and player better for the following offseason.