Syracuse Basketball: Malachi Richardson can spark career in Golden State

Former Syracuse basketball star Malachi Richardson is trying to find his footing in the NBA. Here’s why the Golden State Warriors can be a perfect fit.

Despite being a first-round pick, 22nd overall, in the 2016 NBA Draft things haven’t been easy for Malachi Richardson in the pros.

After initially being selected by the Charlotte Hornets his draft rights were later traded to the Sacramento Kings. Unbeknownst to Malachi, this would be some serious foreshadowing for the majority of Malachi’s early NBA career.

He played in 22 games for the Kings but his progress was halted by a “partial thickness tear of his right hamstring”, which eventually led to him being shut down for the rest of the season.

In early 2018 Malachi was shipped off to the Toronto Raptors, the eventual NBA champions and was there for nearly a full calendar year.

For those curious whether or not Malachi receives an NBA championship ring for his 22 game contribution, this past season is up to the discretion of the Raptors front office.

Anywho, he was then dealt to the Philadelphia 76ers, but he didn’t last 24 hours as he was released the following day.

Which leads us to present day, Richardson in his most recent stop was with the Canton Charge, G-League affiliate of the Cleveland Cavaliers.

While his overall NBA numbers aren’t impressive:

• Career averages of 2.8 points per game, 78 percent free throw shooter, 8.9 minutes per game, and even his biggest strength shooting from beyond the arc hasn’t translated (30 percent career three-point shooter).

Those are just his “NBA” numbers, but when Malachi has been given minutes to show what he can do he has impressed in his G-League opportunities:

• In 12 games he has averaged nearly 21 points per game, 5.8 boards per game, shot over 41 percent from the field, and an outstanding 39.3 percent from long range.

That percentage from beyond the arc was nearly as good as Golden State Warriors star Klay Thompson last season (40.2).

Speaking of Golden State, that’s where Malachi’s next opportunity arises. The Warriors PR staff announced on social media that Richardson would be 1-of-16 players featured on their NBA Summer League roster.

Obviously, there is a lot of competition on his team alone for playing time. But Malachi has proven that when he has been provided legitimate opportunities, he has capitalized on them.

When looking at Malachi’s skillset and trying to figure out where that would best fit in the NBA, you’d be hardpressed not to say the Golden State Warriors. Richardson has the ability to get hot from deep and be a key rotational player for an NBA team, he just hasn’t received the major minutes to prove himself at the highest level.

Hopefully with Golden State this Summer he can realize his first-round potential and make the roster. If he gets minutes, there’s no doubt that Malachi will be in the NBA for a long time.

Malachi is just one of three former Syracuse basketball stars that are currently listed on an NBA Summer League roster per USA Today’s Rookie Wire. Tyus Battle is with the Minnesota Timberwolves and Oshae Brissett is with the Los Angeles Clippers.