2 Heat players whose stock is rising, 1 whose stock is falling fast

The Miami Heat are 11-9 and coming off a home series split against the Indiana Pacers. Miami looks to be much deeper than last year's team with key guys finally getting used to their roles. Let's take a look at whose stock is up and whose stock is down.

Stock Up : Josh Richardson ⬆️

A couple of weeks ago, I wrote that Richardson's stock was down but, recently, Richardson has been improving tremendously. Over the past five games, Richardson has averaged 16.2 points, 4 assists while shooting 55.6% from the floor.

His numbers are better, and so is the eye test. Richardson is getting to his spots more often. Getting to his midrange has always been his bread and butter. Richardson has been better at finishing around the rim as well. He has also recently improved his playmaking, stepping up as a primary facilitator when Kyle Lowry takes his rest.

Now that he's settled into his role, he's more involved when Jimmy Butler is on the floor. Too often early in the season, Richardson would be content to stand in the corner when Butler had the ball. Now, he is more active on the perimeter, looking for open space to be ready to catch and shoot. You know what you'll get with Richardson defensively: solid defense on the opposing ball-handler. After his slow start, Richerson looks to be finding his role, and if he keeps this up, then he will continually get playing time.