Jason Richardson will sign with 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 re-signing with the Sixers.

The 34-year-old shooting guard looks to provide veteran leadership to one of the league's premier teams. He returned to the court 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 last season, he averaged 9.1 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 2.0 assists. His best performance was a 29-point effort in a March 4 overtime road loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Richardson missed 10 games after his return because of swelling and soreness in his knee and because he did not 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 spent this summer working on his knee and getting his shooting touch back. He is determined to play the entire season in what would be his 14th year in the NBA.