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How promising can Josh Richardson's 2016-17 be?

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Josh Richardson had a surprisingly productive rookie season, so how will the Miami Heat utilize him in 2016-17?

The Miami Heat took a hit this offseason, as they failed to sign a “whale” and lost the face of the franchise in Dwyane Wade. However, that does not mean that fans should give up all hope.

Because when it comes down to it, there is still plenty of talent left in South Beach.

A prime example of this being Josh Richardson.

(Or JSoRich, as Heat Hation likes to refer to him as.)

The 22-year-old out of Edmond Oklahoma, was drafted by Miami in 2015. Having attended the University of Tennessee, the guard spent four years there before entering the NBA draft. He averaged 9.2 points, 3.2 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.0 steal a game on 28.2 minutes of play and finished ranking third in school history in games played (136). By the time he was a senior, Richardson made First Team All SEC, the SEC All-Defensive Team and the Defensive All-American Team.

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Coming in at No. 40 overall, most people did not pay him much mind. Especially considering the team was able to snag Justise Winslow in the first round, after he fell to the tenth spot. For a while there, Richardson was just another name on the roster, and face on the bench.

However, he did make a mark in Summer League play. Averaging 11.8 points and 2.8 rebounds per contest in 10 games, people began to take notice. And Richardson even started in place of a missing Wade on November 12, making it only his third ever pro game. But it was not until February that his NBA career was solidified; after being sent to the Heat’s affiliate Developmental League team, the Sioux Falls Skyforce, twice, the rookie finally found his footing in Miami.

He scored a career-high 22 points on March 11, in a 118-96 win against the Chicago Bulls, shooting 9-of-11( and 4-for-6 from the three-point line). He became an integral part of the team’s offensive unit thereafter, especially when it came to three-point shooting. And after a few more double-digit, on-fire-from-downtown performances, he even won the Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month award.

The question now is, how can the Heat best utilize him, moving forward?

At the very least, the good news is that the young buck is ready for whatever the team throws his way:

“You’ve got to be flexible in this league, so I haven’t thought too much into anything. I’m just ready to play whatever role I need to like I did last year.”

Currently, while Goran Dragic has secured the starting point guard spot, the position of starting shooting guard is still up in the air. And technically, there are three other guys who could also be well suited for it: Tyler Johnson, Dion Waiters and Wayne Ellington.

On the one hand, both Waiters and Ellington have been in the league for longer, since 2012 and 2009 respectively. So obviously, they have a leg-up in terms of experience. However, neither of them have any prior knowledge of Miami basketball. And it is no secret that both president Pat Riley and head coach Erik Spoelstra like to run things a certain way. Therefore, despite the newcomers having more years under their belts, it would be a strange move to start either of them right now.

Which brings Johnson into play.

Johnson got quite a payday from the Heat this summer, having recently signed a four-year, $50 million contract. So fans should definitely expect a lot from him, moving forward. Like perhaps, a starting role?

But even if that is the case, that doesn’t mean Richardson will not have a worthy sophomore season.

For one, he can come off the bench to back Johnson up. After all, he provided great energy and production as second-string player for Miami in 2015-16. Besides being a pair of fresh legs, Richardson came in with great confidence and an unparalleled drive. And he is definitely versatile: although Richardson played most of his rookie minutes as a guard, he could very easily transition into a small forward. Standing at 6-foot-6, Richardson also has a high-defensive IQ, making him a threat on both ends of the floor.

Regardless of his role with the team, the organization needs to recognize that alongside the likes of Winslow, Johnson and Hassan Whiteside, Richardson is absolutely part of the developing Heat youth movement. Therefore, he should be given any and all opportunity to become one of Miami’s key guys and his growth should be prioritized.

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