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According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, Josh Richardson has been traded to the Boston Celtics after he opted in to his player option.
The Dallas Mavericks are finalizing trading G/F Josh Richardson to the Boston Celtics, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. Richardson is exercising his $11.6 million player option for the 2021-22 season for the deal.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 31, 2021
His colleague John Hollinger notes that this is a one way trade, with Boston able to absorb Richardson into the trade exception generated from the Gordon Hayward trade to the Charlotte Hornets last year.
It seems Dallas will create a trade exception of their own, per Bobby Marks
Sources confirm that Boston is acquiring Josh Richardson with their $11M trade exception. Because the salary for Richardson jumps to $11.6M in 2021/22, the trade will get finalized on Saturday. The Mavericks will create a $10.9M trade exception as part of the deal.
— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) July 31, 2021
Despite starting 56 games and playing over 30 minutes a game, Richardson never found a comfortable role. He scored 12 points and dished 2.6 assists per game, but managed to shoot a pedestrian 33% from distance. Hardcore fans will remember long streaks of games where he shot in the 20’s from three.
His initial role was thought to be that of a defensive stopper but never got much of a chance. Towards season’s end, Richardson ended up on the bench and played little in the playoffs compared to the regular season.
This move now opens up a true max slot for the Mavericks to pursue a free agent. More to come as we learn new information.
Click here if you’d like to hear our reaction to the Richardson trade. Or go find the Mavs Moneyball Podcast on your favorite player. Here’s the direct link again if you can’t see the embed below.