Nick Richards hasn't even logged a minute for the Miami Heat, but he may already be proving them right in their decision to sign him in free agency.
As somewhat of an afterthought, the Heat signed Richards very late in free agency, gifting him the opportunity to earn a spot as the 14th player on the roster. However, the fact that Richards was still available in late August tells you all you need to know about the doubt (shared by plenty in the league) surrounding his play.
It's something that Richards will use as fuel (and fresh on his mind) as he prepares for his seventh season in the Association.
“I think that there’s a lot of teams that passed up on me that I felt like they should have given me more consideration,” he said. “But they worked their way and I felt like it was just time for me to resolve, ‘You guys were wrong, you should have picked me.’ ”
Nick Richards has much to prove this season in Miami
Dating back to when he was originally drafted, this has been nothing new for Richards. Since being selected 42nd overall in the 2020 NBA Draft, Richards has had to play with something to prove his entire career. That won't change by any means with the Heat this season, and that's just part of why this is a move that could end up paying off in a big way for Miami.
The Heat is looking for hungry players who can grow into a complementary role next to Giannis Antetokounmpo. And while the Heat doesn't necessarily have the salary flexibility to pull that off with conventional players, the front office needs to find the advantages in the margins.
That's how a player Like Richards could make all the difference for the Heat.
And if Richards is going to play with this huge chip on his shoulder, there's a very real chance that he can emerge as that much-needed backup center behind Bam Adebayo.
Even though Richards hasn't really proven to be a quality everyday starter in the league, he has been a strong role player throughout his first six years in the league. After being traded to the Chicago Bulls at this past year's NBA Trade Deadline, Richards impressed by averaging nine points and eight rebounds in roughly 20 minutes per game.
If he can even be half as productive as that in Miami, it's safe to say that he could emerge as a strong force for the Heat off the bench. Perhaps most importantly, it's also something that would make the front office look quite smart.
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