Jason Richardson to Hawks: Latest Contract Details, Analysis and Reaction

Veteran small forward Jason Richardson signed with the Atlanta Hawks on Tuesday, per the team.

Yahoo Sports' Marc J. Spears reported as early as Saturday that Richardson was going to sign a deal:    

Getting set to play in his 14th season in the NBA, many fans might remember Richardson as the high-flying Slam Dunk Contest champion from the early 2000s, but in fact, he has been a versatile player on the wing for many years.

The 34-year-old has averaged 17.1 points per game in his career with five different teams as a player who developed a jumper along with his ability to drive to the basket. 

As the story goes for many veterans, Richardson has seen his numbers dwindle with the Orlando Magic and most recently with the Philadelphia 76ers. Last season in just a shade under 22 minutes, Richardson averaged 9.1 points per game and 2.0 assists. 

He's joining a Hawks team that sees plenty of depth at the shooting guard position with Kyle Korver set to be backed up by Kent Bazemore, Tim Hardaway Jr. and Justin Holiday, which would most likely see Richardson playing at the small forward position. 

Richardson holds a very similar stature to Sefolosha, who is 6'6" compared to the Swiss' 6'7", but that's where the similarities end. While Richardson has proven to be a dangerous scorer in the NBA, Sefolosha has never averaged more than 8.5 points per game. 

With these two small forwards vying for playing time, Atlanta will be able to roll out a couple different looks next season. If they want to play an attacking, aggressive offensive game, Richardson will see the floor, but if they are looking for defense, Sefolosha will be their man. 

This could create a vital platoon for a Hawks team that looks to build on a 60 win season in 2014. Richardson is the perfect addition coming for a team looking to take the next step in the playoffs. A veteran presence on the bench who can come on and supply a high-intensity, dynamic style of play is invaluable. 

Stats courtesy of Basketball-Reference.com.