J-Rich to sign with Atlanta Hawks
Jason Richardson hopes to extend his career as a member of the Atlanta Hawks.
Jason Richardson hopes to extend his career as a member of the Atlanta Hawks.
The 76ers free agent will sign a non-guaranteed deal with the Hawks on Monday. He was open to resigning with the Sixers.
Since that didn't happen, the shooting guard looks to provide veteran leadership to one of the league's premier teams. The 34-year-old will also be an inspiration if he makes the team.
By now, most Sixers fans know Richardson's story. He returned to the court on Feb. 20 for the first time in more than two years after suffering a cartilage tear the size of a quarter on the right side of his left kneecap in January 2013.
In 19 games, he averaged 9.1 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 2.0 assists in 21.9 minutes. His best performance was a 29-point effort in a March 4 overtime road loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Richardson struggled during stretches. He missed 10 games after his return because of swelling and soreness in his knee and not being cleared to play on back-to-back nights.
"For me, [this season] gave me hope and determination to come back from the injury that I did without really any practice time," he said in April, "and to be on the court, that gave me a lot of hope for my future. I can play a few more years in this league."
Richardson's summer goals were to get work on his knee and get his shooting touch back. He is determined to play the entire season in what would be his 14th campaign in the NBA.
Follow and contact Inquirer 76ers beat writer Keith Pompey on Twitter @PompeyOnSixers and on Instagram at PompeyOnSixers