Tropic Wander: Journeyman Quentin Richardson Joins the Miami Heat

Quentin Richardson could be considered a journeyman for his travels throughout the NBA being on three teams in his first eight years in the league.

Richardson right now has touched about every part of the country this summer as he joins his fourth team this summer.

The Miami Heat finally pulled the trigger and made a move this off season after failing to execute a trade for Carlos Boozer and being unable to sign Lamar Odom. The signing of Richardson is important to the team as it provides some consistent points off the bench.

The trade for Richardson is a delight to Heat fans as it also results in the departure of third string center Mark Blount. Blount had one of the worst contracts in the league making nearly $8 million a year to ride the bench. He only played in 20 games last year and averaged four points and two rebounds.

Richardson spent his 2008-'09 season playing for the New York Knicks coming off the bench and averaged 10 points and four rebounds. Team President Pat Riley already said he will get significant minutes coming off the bench. The team could use a backup at the shooting guard and small forward spot as it provides a lot more depth for a team that needed more consistency off the bench.

With the rest of the Eastern Conference bolstering it's rosters, the Heat desperately needed to make a move to compete. While not the move to skyrocket a team to the top of it's conference, its what the Heat needed to secure a playoff spot.