Report: Orlando Magic Set to Bring Back Guard Jason Richardson

One player that was an integral part of the future for the Orlando Magic (with or without) Dwight Howard is veteran free-agent shooting guard Jason Richardson.

Richardson has played for the Golden State Warriors, Charlotte Bobcats, Phoenix Suns and spent a portion of the 2010-11 season with the Magic in his NBA career. Richardson was able to provide much needed athleticism and shooting along with defensive abilities that J.J. Redick could not, and as a result became a starter.

Throughout the offseason a lot of attention was put on the Howard situation (deservingly so) that Richardson’s pending free agency became an afterthought until earlier today.

According to the Orlando Sentinel, general manager Otis Smith announced that they have reportedly reached an agreement to bring back free-agent shooting guard Richardson and it will become official shortly. The contract is reportedly for four years and close to $25 million.

At the end of the day this is a great move for the Magic as they look to do whatever it takes to keep Howard in town for as long as possible even though the chances of him leaving are pretty high at this moment. At the end of the day, Richardson is a veteran guard that has the athleticism and ability to be a scorer for the Magic and has shown he can do during his previously short stay.

The Magic could be making more attempts to add a better supporting cast around Howard in order to show him that they are serious about winning and are willing to take on some risk in doing so. It remains to be seen at this time what additional moves the Magic could be looking to make.