Heat Guard Out For Season After Scheduled Shoulder Surgery

Josh Richardson will undergo the surgery sometime today. It’s a tough break for the 30-year-old who has been a vital part of Miami’s rotation this season mostly as one of the first men off the bench. Richardson sustained a shoulder injury in a game on February 11 against the Boston Celtics. The injury occurred in the second quarter as he went after a loose ball. He has now missed each of the Heat’s last eight games.

The Heat currently sit sixth in the Eastern Conference with a 35-26 record. They are just a half-game out of fourth but also only a game ahead of eighth in the conference. The top six in each conference secure a playoff berth and avoid the Play-In Tournament.

Heat Guard Out For Season After Scheduled Shoulder Surgery

Key Reserve For the Heat This Season

In 43 games (six starts), Richardson has averaged 25.7 minutes per contest. The nine-year veteran has posted averages of 9.9 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 2.4 assists. On the season, he is shooting 44.4% from the field, 34.7% from behind the arc, and made 51 of his 54 free-throw attempts.

This is Richardson’s second stint with the Heat. He was selected by them in the second round (40th overall) in the 2015 NBA Draft. Richardson spent his first four seasons with Miami from 2015-16 until 2018-19.

In 546 career games (322 starts), Richardson has averages of 11.6 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 2.7 assists.

Richardson is Signed at a Bargain Rate

The Heat brought back Richardson this past offseason on a two-year deal worth a little less than $6 million. The signing felt like a bargain with how he was playing prior to the injury. He has a player option for next season for slightly more than $3 million. While that seems like a below-market salary for him, one has to wonder if the season-ending surgery will cause him to pick it up.

Turning 31 on September 15, Richardson could also enter free agency knowing he doesn’t have all that much more time to secure a multi-year deal.

Heat Bring in Mills to Add to Depleted Guard Depth

Not only is Richardson now out for the season, but Tyler Herro has also missed Miami’s last five games.  He has been out of action with a right foot injury. Altogether, Herro has missed 25 games on the season.

On Tuesday, the team announced they have signed veteran guard Patty Mills. The 35-year-old will be eligible for the postseason because he was released by the Atlanta Hawks on February 29.

A member of the San Antonio Spurs championship team in 2014, Mills saw minimal action with Atlanta this season. In 19 games, he has averaged 2.7 points, 1.1 rebounds, and 0.7 assists.

Now in his 15th season, Mills has career averages of 8.9 points, 1.7 rebounds, and 2.2 assists.