Jason Richardson Retires: Latest Details, Comments and Reaction

After 14 seasons and two Slam Dunk Contest wins, Jason Richardson is walking away from the NBA.

The veteran guard took to Instagram on Wednesday night to announce his formal retirement:

Marc J. Spears of Yahoo Sports reported Richardson had knee pain several days ago, and an MRI revealed bone spurs, which prompted his retirement. 

Spears highlighted what Richardson brought to the court:

Richardson, 34, last played for the Philadelphia 76ers in 2014-15. He averaged 9.1 points and 3.5 rebounds in 19 appearances, which was his first game action since the 2012-13 campaign. His retirement comes just one month after signing a one-year contract with the Atlanta Hawks, where he was expected to compete for a spot in the rotation as a backup guard.

"I always been that guy who loved the game," Richardson said Feb. 25, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer's Keith Pompey. "I don't look at it as a job or paycheck. I just love basketball."

Richardson's love of the game helped him last nearly a decade-and-a-half at the NBA level after being taken No. 5 overall in the 2001 draft by the Golden State Warriors. The Michigan State product quickly emerged as an offensive difference-maker and high-flyer, winning the dunk contest in each of his first two seasons. He'd spend his first six seasons in Golden State before being traded to the then-Charlotte Bobcats in 2007.

That trade to Charlotte began the journeyman phase of Richardson's career, as he bounced around from Charlotte to Phoenix to Orlando within a four-year span. Despite the upheaval, Richardson remained a solid rotation shooting guard, knocking down an above-average clip from three and acting as a fine secondary ball-handler.

Unfortunately, Richardson's career fell off the tracks following a 2012 trade to the Philadelphia 76ers as part of the Dwight Howard deal.

Richardson managed only 52 games over three seasons in Philadelphia, suffering a knee injury that kept him on the sideline for nearly two full years. His return late last season left some hope he'd be able to carve out a niche as a role player late in his career, but it's apparent his body wasn't cooperating as camp approached.

Richardson finishes his career with averages of 17.1 points, 5.0 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game. He was named to the first-team All-Rookie squad in 2002 and was recently eclipsed by Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson for the Warriors' all-time lead in three-pointers made.

The Hawks should not have any trouble replacing Richardson, as they already have Kent Bazemore and Tim Hardaway Jr. ready as reserve shooting guards.

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