FanPost

The Richardson Question

There are a few remaining items on the Sixers offseason agenda, but none loom larger than unraveling the mystery of what role, in any, Jason Richardson will have with the 2014-2015 Sixers. Is JRich going to be the starter at the SG position, providing at least some veteran experience to a very young team, while spreading the floor and knocking down threes more consistently than anyone on the team managed last season? Is he going to have a role in the rotation for a while, perhaps, proving to the league that he still has something left in the tank, so that he can be dealt to a contender at the deadline for one more asset? Or is he simply done, having not played a season and a half, and just hanging around to collect the money due on his contract while waiting to be waived or bought out?

We have heard nothing from the Sixers this summer, zip, nada, not a single word. Yet these three possibilities represent very different paths for at least the beginning of the coming season. Let's take a quick look at each:

JRich is the starter at SG, and with MCW, McDaniels, Nerlens, and Sims, provides the Sixers starting lineup just what they need. He spaces the floor and makes shots, and with MCWs growth, the rejuvenated defense and rebounding of a bigger and more athletic front court, and solid bench production from Wroten, Thompson, McRae, and RonRob Jr., the Sixers shock the league and are in the mix in a weak eastern conference as we approach the break and the trade deadline. The kids are still getting plenty of playing time in the rotation, and the Sixers, with JRich providing solid play as well as leadership, are faced with a conundrum? Trade JRich and enrage the fan base, but get yet another pick out of the deal, while saving their own by dropping out of the playoff race. Or ride the wave and see what happens, while establishing some positive energy around the team and giving all the young guys a taste of winning and a shot at the playoffs? Imagine that discussion happening as late January rolls around...

Or JRich is the starter at SG, and he is doing decently, but the team is still bad, and as the deadline approaches, the team makes a move to trade JRich, gains another asset, and also frees up more playing time for the kids for the last third of the season. Win/win (except of course the team is still losing).

Or JRich is simply done, a fine warrior but one who's body is not able to continue at this level. He does not make the roster to start the season. And is either waived, or is bought out - regardless, there is one more roster spot open, and one of Wroten, McRae, McDaniels, Thompson or Shved is added to the starting lineup, and everyone gets a little more run.

As is obvious, these are very different visions of the near future....sure would be nice to know which one is closest to coming to pass in the next month or two. Thoughts?

A user-created LB joint. The Liberty Ballers staff does not contribute to FanPosts.