Miami Heat bring back Josh Richardson, re-sign Kevin Love

On the heels of losing Gabe Vincent to the Lakers in free agency, the Miami Heat fortified their backcourt by signing guard Josh Richardson.

Richardson returns to Miami on a two-year deal at the veteran minimum, reportedly turning down more lucrative offers in order to reunite with Erik Spoelstra and the Heat, where he started his career as a second-round pick in 2015.

The Heat traded Richardson in 2019 in the three-team trade that brought Jimmy Butler to Miami. Since then, Richardson played in Philadelphia, Dallas, Boston, San Antonio and New Orleans. He’s averaged 11.8 points on 36.5% shooting from 3-point range, 3.1 rebounds, and 2.7 assists for his career. Richardson’s deal has a player option for the second season.

According to the Miami Herald’s Barry Jackson, Spoelstra on Friday evening pitched Richardson on a phone call. With Vincent gone and Max Strus likely to leave as a free agent, Richardson immediately slots in as one of the Heat’s top guards for next season. At 6-foot-5, Richardson provides size and shooting for when Strus inevitably signs elsewhere.

The Heat also brought back Kevin Love on a two-year deal starting at $3.7 million with a player option in the second season. After picking up Love on the buyout market in February, the Heat started Love at power forward for most of the regular season and in the playoffs. Bringing him back ensures the Heat have an option to start at power forward for next season.

Love averaged 6.9 points on 37.5% shooting from 3-point range, 5.6 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 20 playoff games for the Heat last season.