Orlando Magic Cut Veteran Forward Quentin Richardson
The Orlando Magic has cut veteran small forward Quentin Richardson, according to the Orlando Sentinel's Josh Robbins via Twitter on Saturday:
"Quentin Richardson, Justin Harper and Chris Johnson have been waived by the #Magic, a team official said.
— Josh Robbins (@JoshuaBRobbins) October 27, 2012"
Richardson, who played the last two NBA seasons in Orlando and started 22 regular season games for the Magic during that time, is now out of a job and looking for a new place to call home.
The former first round draft pick in 2000 struggled mightily in Orlando after signing with the franchise in July 2010. Over the past two seasons with the Magic, Richardson averaged just 4.5 points per game on 36 percent shooting from the field and shot under 32 percent from beyond the arc, which is unacceptable for a 3-point specialist.
Richardson was just as lackluster during two postseason appearances for Orlando. He averaged just 2.4 points per game over five playoff games last spring.
Robbins also reports that the Magic will owe Richardson more than $5 million unless another team picks him this fall:
"#Magic will pay the remaining $5.4 million on Quentin Richardson's contract unless he's claimed off waivers.
— Josh Robbins (@JoshuaBRobbins) October 27, 2012"
The former DePaul star is only 32 years old and can still provide a team in need with a experienced player who can come off the bench and help spark the offense.
He's hit nearly 1,200 3-pointers over the course of his NBA career and has a high basketball IQ that many coaches would love to have on their second unit. Richardson hasn't lived up to expectations as of late, but his resume would suggest that he's a valuable piece to any NBA roster.
Richardson has played for five NBA teams over the past 12 seasons, including multiple seasons with the Los Angeles Clippers, New York Knicks and Orlando Magic.
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