Josh Richardson, the 10-year NBA veteran who last played for the Miami Heat in the 2024-25 season, has now announced his retirement from the league after nearly a year’s break. The former Heat player was drafted in 2015 as the 40th overall pick in the second round.
He ended his NBA career averaging 11.5 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 2.6 assists in 554 games, during which he shot 42.8% from the field and 36.3% from beyond the three-point line in his time with six different teams, but gave over six seasons to the Heat.
Richardson took to social media and expressed his gratitude to the NBA with a heartfelt message.
“I always gave my best; that’s why I can say this with no regret. I am grateful to have been able to love this game, and it loved me back as much as it did.”
“It wasn’t set up for me at any point in my career, and from high school, college, and the pros, I humbly worked my butt off every day to be the best that I could be. All my fans, coaches, and teammates, I hope I left a good impression and a positive view of me.”
“🫂 Love, JRICH 🤙🏾 (Yes, this is a retirement post 🤣),” Richardson wrote under an Instagram post.
Various members of the NBA world gave Josh Richardson his flowers. The Miami Heat legend, Dwyane Wade, and franchise star player Bam Adebayo were among several current and former NBA players who flooded the comments section with praise for the veteran as he hung up his boots for one last time.
Wade and Richardson were teammates on the Heat in 2015, 2016, and the few months for which Wade returned in the 2018-19 season before his own retirement. Bam Adebayo joined him in 2017 and was also teammates with him throughout Richardson’s stint with the Heat.
“The coolest. I loved going into the trenches with you, young fella 🫡,” wrote Wade.
“HMMMM 🤞🏾,” wrote Adebayo.
“🫡🫡 Hell of a career, brother. All the best in your next chapter!” wrote Tobias Harris.
“🔥🔥🔥 Family,” Hassan Whiteside wrote.
“Rich Kid, love for life ❤️ congrats! Enjoy your next step in your journey!” wrote Wayne Ellington.
“Proud of you bro,” wrote Dejounte Murray.
“Hell of a career, killa!!!” wrote Isaiah Thomas.
Various other NBA players like Andre Drummond, Bradley Beal, and Quinn Cook also showed support for Richardson. The 32-year-old went to the playoffs on four separate occasions but never went past the first round.
Earlier this year, in January, Josh Richardson also had a small stint with the Spanish team Basket Zaragoza before he was released after just five games.
It is unfortunate to see Richardson hanging up his boots at an age where a lot of NBA players are still considered to be in their prime. We wish him all the best for his future endeavors.
