Philadelphia 76ers: Jason Richardson, Ish Smith eye return

Last season, just as it was the season before, the Philadelphia 76ers’ roster became a revolving door of marginal NBA talent looking to make a name for themselves.

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Rookies like Jerami Grant and JaKarr Sampson have been able to jump into immediate minutes in Philadelphia, aiding in their transition to the NBA, while guys like Robert Covington and Thomas Robinson found fresh starts in The City of Brotherly Love.

In total, 25 different players wore “Sixers” across their chest this season and through the upcoming NBA Draft, free agency and players stashed around the globe, it wouldn’t come as a surprise if Sam Hinkie experiments with nearly that many names next season, as well.

But at some point, the Sixers will have to stop tearing down and begin building up. That begins by establishing a consistent roster and despite the countless losses, there’s no shortage of guys who would welcome another opportunity with the Sixers next season.

This list begins with Ish Smith, Jason Richardson and Thomas Robinson, leaving Luc Mbah a Moute as the only unrestricted free agent who hasn’t publicly expressed his desire to be back in Philly.

Richardson is the longest tenured of the soon-to-be free agents after being with the Sixers since the 2012-13 season. Injuries have plagued most of his time in Philly, causing Richardson to miss the entirety of last season and playing in only 52 games in three seasons.

It wasn’t until the latter portion of the Sixers’ most recent campaign that Richardson was finally able to come back and remain healthy for an extended period of time, but those 19 games seemed to be enough to provide plenty of optimism for Richardson’s remaining future in the NBA, per Keith Pompey of Philly.com:

"“For me, [this season] gave me hope and determination to come back from the injury that I did without really any practice time,” he said, “and to be on the court, that gave me a lot of hope for my future. I can play a few more years in this league.”"

Whether or not the 34-year-old Richardson still has some quality, injury-free seasons left in the tank remains to be seen, but it’s a near-guarantee that teams won’t be chomping at the bit to land a veteran who has only been in action for 21 percent of the last three seasons 246 games.

Feb 22, 2015; Orlando, FL, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard Jason Richardson (23) drives to the basket against the Orlando Magic during the first quarter at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

But one team that certainly has money to spend and few consistent options down its bench is the team Richardson is currently signed to and he’s proclaimed his interest in staying in Philly as his career winds down, via Philly.com:

“I don’t have a problem coming back here,” said Richardson, whose contract expires in June. “I like every guy in this locker room, believe it or not. . . . And I love coach Brett [Brown]. He’s one of my favorite coaches of all time. So, yeah, I’m really open to [coming] back.”

How fortunate the Sixers are in the upcoming draft will likely play a big role in whether or not Richardson inks another contract in Philly. It seems like the roster situation is as depraved as it gets right now, but with a solid draft and potential additions of guys whose rights belong to the Sixers, it wouldn’t come as a surprise if there simply weren’t any positions open for the three-year Sixer.

Smith has also made his desire to remain with the Sixers clear, and understandably so as Smith would ultimately land with his ninth team in five years if Philly doesn’t bring him back, via Sixers.com:

"“I hope so,” Smith said. “I really like it here. I knew I had to play and work hard and not worry about all the other things. I figure that will all take care of itself. It was important to me to come in and do my work and take in everything the coaching staff was teaching me. I still have so much to learn.”"

In his 25 games with the Sixers, Smith became a pleasant surprise. He set career highs in minutes played at 27.1 per game, along with career bests in scoring, rebounding and assists with 12.0, 6.1 and 2.9 per game, respectively.

Smith became a reliable option for the Sixers right out of the gates and it led him to starting 14 games, along with accomplishing the noteworthy feat of becoming Nerlens Noel’s favorite point guard.

When Smith was running things, the offense flowed, points came easier and Noel often was aided to look like an offensive force around the rim with so many easy dunks. But it’s quite possible the Sixers walk away from the 2015 NBA Draft with Emmanuel Mudiay or D’Angelo Russell, in hopes of having landed their poing guard of the future.

This would seemingly mean Smith would have to settle for a backup role in Philly, but that doesn’t bother the 6’0” floor general much, via Sixers.com:

"“That’s OK with me,” Smith said. “I just surprised myself as a starter. I am not going to lie. I’m sure it surprised everybody in the NBA. Hopefully, wherever it might be, I am ready. I have a lot to work on, but I see the light at the end of the tunnel. I know I have more that I can give. I’m not going to take much time off. I’m getting right back at it.”"

Given the way he surpassed expectations in his brief 25-game stint with the Sixers, it wouldn’t come as a shock to see Smith brought back to Philly for another season, even in a backup role.

Even Robinson, who has made Philadelphia his fourth home in three seasons has also remarked interest in returning to Philly next season, and at one point, even calling his time in The City of Brotherly Love “a blessing in disguise” after providing consistent meaningful minutes to help turn his career around.

Thomas Robinson on whether he wants to return to the #sixers next year: "I'm tired of moving."
— Derek Bodner (@DerekBodnerNBA) April 16, 2015

The Sixers don’t have much quality size down low for next season and with many expecting Henry Sims’ time in Philly to have come to a close, bringing a guy like Robinson back, who has a never ending motor and fights on every possession, could provide an added toughness and depth to Philly’s frontcourt that will compliment Noel and Joel Embiid nicely.

In reality, it’s very possible that we see all three of these guys in a Sixers jersey next season. But on the other hand, just as possible is each of them having played their final game for the Sixers in mid-April.

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