After a decade on the hardwood, the former second-round pick hangs up the jersey, closing a gritty career defined by Miami Heat roots.
MIAMI, Fla. – On Wednesday night, former Miami Heat guard Josh Richardson took to Instagram to announce that he’s retiring from professional basketball. After 10 years of playing, he hangs up the jersey.
Richardson was a second-round selection (No. 40) in the 2015 NBA Draft. He previously spent four years of college basketball in the Southeastern Conference with the Tennessee Volunteers. Richardson had a remarkable senior season: 16 points on 46.1 percent shooting, 4.5 rebounds, and 3.6 assists in 32 games (all starts). He led the SEC with 2.1 steals and 36.3-minute averages.
The Heat took a chance on him and it later paid off. As a rookie, Richardson earned an immediate rotation role. He developed into one of the Heat’s top scorers. In the summer of 2017, Richardson signed a four-year, $42 million rookie extension with the Heat. He was a core piece of the franchise, alongside draft classmate Justice Winslow.
In the 2018-19 season, Richardson had – what would be – a career-best production. He averaged 16.6 points on 41.2 percent shooting, 3.6 rebounds, 4.1 assists, and 1.1 steals in 73 games (all starts). However, the following summer would be the end of the first Heat chapter. Richardson was traded to the Philadelphia 76ers as part of the blockbuster Jimmy Butler deal.
Afterwards, the former second-rounder would jump around the league. Following a one-year stint in the City of Brotherly Love, Richardson played for the Dallas Mavericks, Boston Celtics, San Antonio Spurs, and New Orleans Pelicans.
In the summer of 2023, the former Heat guard returned to where the whole NBA journey started. He signed with the South Florida organization as a free agent. Richardson was a rotation player, but a shoulder injury in early February would cut a reunion short. He only appeared in 43 games (six starts) and averaged 9.9 points on 44.4 percent shooting.
Richardson was set to return to the Heat following the decision to exercise a $3.05 million player option. In late November, he was knocked out of the rotation, traded to the Utah Jazz at the 2025 deadline, and waived. Richardson did not sign with a team to play last season.
Among the Heat fanbase, he earned the nickname “Rook 2,” referring to him and Winslow as the organization’s former cornerstone pieces. Despite only being 32 years old, Richardson leaves the court and can pursue a DJ career while following the Arsenal F.C. season.
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Anthony Aguirre is the Miami Heat beat writer for Roundtable Sports. Contact info: [email protected] | 305-987-3290 | Follow on Instagram/X: @AnthonyA_Sports
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