Arizona Basketball: Former Wildcat Richard Jefferson traded to Hawks, released

After failing to repeat as NBA Champions in 2017, Richard Jefferson made the decision to return to the league. He has now been traded, and released.

When the Cleveland Cavaliers won the NBA Championship in 2016, many questions arose. One of those question was, would Richard Jefferson, a savvy veteran for the young team, come back for yet another shot at a ring?

The answer was yes.  After choosing to come back, knowing he would be the key veteran for the defending champion Cavaliers, Jefferson was thrust into a role he certainly wasn’t expecting. Due to an injury to JR Smith, which heavily depleted the Cavaliers bench, he would average 20 minutes per game across 79 games played, starting 13 of them.

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Coming into the 2017 season, many expected Jefferson to once again be in that role for the Cavaliers. However, with a trade for Isaiah Thomas, that included Jae Crowder, and a signing of Jeff Green.

The signs were clear, Richard Jefferson’s days as a member of the Cleveland Cavaliers was coming to an end. That was made official on Thursday, as the team traded him and Kay Felder to the Atlanta Hawks for two 2nd round draft picks, and the rights to two international draftees.

We are far from the days where Richard Jefferson will be playing at an all-star level, or even close to the days where he was a serviceable rotational man. More used these days as the 9th or 10th person coming off the bench, providing in-game leadership, Jefferson would be very useful for any team with a young roster. As many expected, he is not retiring, just yet.

Former teammate twice over now, Channing Frye snapped himself crying over the trade:

The main questions for Richard Jefferson to ask himself would be, “Do I want to win one more time?” or “Do I want more playing time?”. There are many options for both of those questions. One solid option for RJ would be to join the Cavaliers rival, Boston Celtics

They currently have an opening on the end of their bench, and are likely co favorites to come out of the East with the Cavaliers. Would Richard Jefferson really betray his former Cavs teammates to go join the Celtics? Anything is possible.

Then there is always the Lakers or Warriors where he could play for his friends Luke Walton or Steve Kerr, although their rosters are pretty full.

Here is some of RJ talking retirement after winning the championship:

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If he does not find a spot in the NBA on a roster for opening day, we can only hope that we hear more podcasts from the veteran. Throughout last season and still recording weekly, Jefferson and Channing Frye hosted the Road Trippin’ podcast that could be heard exclusively on ITunes. No matter what Jefferson chooses to do next, we wish him all the best from the Arizona Wildcats program, and from ZonaZealots. BEAR DOWN!