The Los Angeles Lakers earned an A+ for their productive 2024-25 trade season.
Yes, the franchise relinquished Dalton Knecht and Anthony Davis, two vital members of the Lakers.
However, it landed Mark Williams, a viable frontcourt asset, Dorian Finney-Smith, a serviceable two-way wing, and Luka Doncic, a remarkably gifted superstar guard.
Still, Los Angeles could be active on the buyout market and add more talent to its roster.
Josh Richardson, a former Boston Celtics guard recently traded from the Miami Heat, could be a solid post-trade deadline option for the Lakers.
Richardson averaged 4.0 points per contest on 28.9% field goal shooting and 27.3% three-point shooting in eight games with Miami before receiving the boot on Wednesday.
The Golden State Warriors’ blockbuster multi-team trade for Jimmy Butler sent Richardson to the Detroit Pistons, but Detroit quickly shipped the Tennessee product to the Utah Jazz.
However, the Jazz plan to cut ties with Richardson soon.
“Jazz will waive Josh Richardson and Jalen Hood-Schifino, keeping KJ Martin from today’s deals,” The Salt Lake Tribune’s Andy Larsen reported on X/Twitter Thursday.
Richardson was a valuable rotational player for the Heat during the first four years of his career, but he’s bounced around the league since 2019.
After proving his worth as an athletic wing with a decent long-range jumper and defensive potential, the 31-year-old pro spent one season with the Philadelphia 76ers and Dallas Mavericks before landing with the Celtics in 2021.
Richardson notched 9.7 points per game on respectable shooting splits during his lone season with the Celtics before looking for his next NBA home.
Although Richardson isn’t a game-changing contributor by any means necessary, playing with Doncic, an elite playmaker capable of making role players appear better than they are, could help the NBA journeyman get back on track this season.
Time will tell if the Lakers allow Richardson to resurrect his 2024-25 campaign in Los Angeles.
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