Former Tennessee guard Josh Richardson and the Miami Heat have agreed to a three-year deal worth $2.5 million and fully guaranteed for this season, according to multiple reports.
The Heat selected the All-SEC guard with the 40th pick of June's draft, and Richardson impressed enough with the team during the NBA Summer League in Orlando and Las Vegas earlier this month to earn a roster spot.
Miami traded two guards in Shabazz Napier and Zoran Dragic to make room for Richardson.
According to the Miami Herald, Richardson will earn the rookie minimum ($525,093) this season and $874,636 in the second deal of the contract, which is partially guaranteed. The third year of the deal carries a team option at $1.1 million, according to the report.
Richardson rose up teams' draft boards through a series of individual and group workouts despite not getting an invite to the NBA draft combine. Heat president Pat Riley said after the draft the team had Richardson rated as a first-round pick. Miami likes his ability to play both guard positions and defend on the perimeter.
In 10 Summer League games, Richardson averaged 11.8 points, 2.8 rebounds and 1.6 assists after pouring in 16.0 points and adding 4.5 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 2.1 steals with shooting averages of 46-36-80 from the field, the 3-point line and the free-throw line as a senior with the Volunteers.
"Our scouting staff does a tremendous job evaluating talent," Heat assistant coach and Summer League head coach Dan Craig told the Sun-Sentinel. "And this was a guy they had on the radar. He was around in the second round. We were probably fortunate to get him when we did. I don't think his team performed as well as they probably wanted.
"And a lot of the team not doing well probably had a little bit to do with him slipping in the draft, which was great for us. Because he's a tremendous player, on both sides of the floor. We were really happily surprised with how quickly he was able to evolve into the NBA game, particularly from the point-guard standpoint."
Richardson will be the fourth former Tennessee player in the NBA this upcoming season. Tobias Harris and C.J. Watson play for the Orlando Magic, while Jarnell Stokes entering his second year with the Memphis Grizzlies. Jordan McRae also has a chance to make the Philadelphia 76ers's roster.
Contact Patrick Brown at pbrown@timesfreepress.com.