Sixers: 8 possible free agents for mid-level exception

Possible free agents for Sixers’ mid-level exception: Josh Richardson

Josh Richardson left a sour taste in the mouthes of Sixer fans his last time around, but for the mid-level exception, he would make a great deal of sense. Richardson is only 27, and he can still defend the crap out of the ball one-on-one. He would bring physicality and size to the second unit, with the potential to thrive in a smaller, more defined offensive role.

A bad one-year run in Dallas would seem to dispel the notion that Richardson can or will return to Miami Heat form, but even so, he’s not a bad player. He can hit open 3s, do some off-the-dribble work offensively, and again, defend. For a modest price and in a reserve role, there’s still a lot to like.

Also of note is Richardson’s seemingly positive relationship with Joel Embiid, Ben Simmons, and many of the Sixers’ roster. The vibes around the team were not great in 2019-20, but a lot of that falls on the shoulders of Brett Brown. Richardson is a positive force in the locker room and a guy who clearly resonated with Matisse Thybulle in his lone season with the franchise.

Richardson still falls pray to his most maddening tendencies. He takes some bad shots, and next to Al Horford and Ben Simmons, his sluggish decision-making was never going to work. The Sixers have since traded Horford, though, and there are plenty of smart, snappy playmakers in Philadelphia’s second unit now. Richardson wouldn’t need to start, or play the inflated role of No. 3 scorer. He would just need to defend second-unit guards and hit the occasional shot. That’s a role he can thrive in.