Michigan State Spartans guard Jase Richardson is only a freshman but has sparked 2025 NBA Draft buzz if he chooses to declare after the season.
What teams may be a potential fit for the lefty guard?
5 Potential NBA Landing Spots for Jase Richardson
Richardson has excelled as the season has progressed for the Spartans, emerging as the go-to scorer for his team and showcasing his entire scoring repertoire. Over the final nine games of the regular season, he’s averaging a team-high 16.9 points per game — an enticing scoring option for teams picking that may be picking in the middle of the first round.
Here are five teams that may be interested in Richardson.
Orlando Magic
Head coach Jamahl Mosley’s team lives by its defense, which this season has come at the expense of its offense. They tend to deploy long, versatile defenders on the court with a vision towards the defensive end of the floor.
Richardson could provide immediate scoring on the offensive end of the floor while not sacrificing too much defensively, as he’s shown signs of being an average team defender.
Simply put, the Magic need more offensive creativity after scoring the fewest points per game in the league this season. Orlando could use a scoring option off the bench to assist in scoring on the perimeter, where they have a glaring weakness.
Los Angeles Clippers
Similar to the Magic, the Clippers lack supporting scorers off the bench. Norman Powell, James Harden, and Kawhi Leonard carry the scoring load in the starting lineup, but off the bench, guard Bogdan Bogdanovic has been a disappointment after coming to the team via trade.
Richardson would serve as a developmental player in a scoring role off the bench, with little pressure to perform right away. With Harden nearing his final years, the former Spartan could learn from the lefty and eventually hope to assume the starting guard position.
The Clippers’ coaching staff, led by head coach Tyronn Lue and assistant coach Jeff Van Gundy, has proven to be one of the best in the NBA, making this a terrific spot for Richardson’s long-term development.
Milwaukee Bucks
The Bucks are in win-now mode, with aging superstars in Damian Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo. Yet, they drafted A.J. Johnson in the 2024 Draft, a 19-year-old prospect who played in Australia the year prior to the draft.
Milwaukee off-loaded Johnson to the Washington Wizards at the trade deadline in the Khris Middleton trade, as he failed to show any promise on the NBA or G-League court. Richardson would prove to be a similar prospect, but unlike Johnson, he has actually excelled at his level.
If the Bucks are looking to begin another timeline of players, the freshman would be of tremendous value if he was still available in the 20’s in terms of draft position.
Houston Rockets
Houston is another team that lacks bench scoring, ranking 23rd in the league. They don’t have a solid scoring option on the perimeter off the bench, assuming Amen Thompson stays in the starting lineup.
Backup point guard Aaron Holiday is solid as a distributor but is miscast as a scorer in the second unit.
The Rockets drafted Kentucky guard Reed Sheppard with the third-overall pick in the 2024 Draft, but he hasn’t seen much playing time while the team has had an excellent season on the court. If they take Richardson, Houston would boast a talented backcourt of the future, with the former Spartan also providing scoring off the bench right away.
Sacramento Kings
Interim head coach Doug Christie has had trouble piecing together a guard rotation following the trade that sent star point guard De’Aaron Fox to the San Antonio Spurs for 6’5″ guard Zach LaVine.
Malik Monk, who isn’t usually a point guard, assumed that role after Fox’s departure, but the Kings need another scoring option at the combo guard position off the bench if they hope to compete anytime soon.
KEEP READING: Who Are Jase Richardson’s Parents? Meet NBA Star Jason Richardson and Former College Hooper Jackie Paul-Richardson
Second-year guard Keon Ellis is a terrific defender but doesn’t provide much scoring, while veteran guard Kevin Huerter has fallen out of the rotation recently. Richardson would provide Sacramento with a younger, more energetic option on the offensive end of the floor.
College Sports Network has you covered with the latest news, analysis, insights, and trending stories in football, basketball, and more!
