Jason Richardson - Traded

Jason Richardson Traded to Phoenix

Goodness gracious this came out of nowhere. Word is that the Suns, who have been hurting for an offensive spark, sent Boris Diaw, Raja Bell, and Sean Singletary to Charlotte in exchange for Jason Richardson, Jared Dudley and a 2010 2nd round pick.

“He’s athletic and gives us a really potent offensive player,” Suns General Manager Steve Kerr said. “He’s also an excellent defensive players and he’s in his prime. He’s a very high-character guy and well-regarded around the league for his professionalism.”

We’ll hit you with complete analysis as to how this move impacts both rosters and everyone’s fantasy value. But on face value, it’s a really good move for Phoenix, who needed to shake things up. Up to this point this season, the Suns doesn’t have a guard outside of Steve Nash who is putting up 12 points per game. Add in that Amare hasn’t had a problem vocalizing his frustration, and it’s easy to see where this could have ended.

From Charlotte’s perspective, they didn’t make this move because of Diaw’s and Bell’s contracts. Diaw is under salary through 2011-12 (player option) and Bell will be around until ‘09-10.

Suns trade for Richardson, will be REALLY shorthanded tonight

The remodeling of the Suns continues. Last year, it was Shaq, now, it's Jason Richardson. The explosive! two guard is heading to Phoenix along with Jared Dudley and a 2010 second rounder in exchange for Laker favorite Raja Bell, Boris Diaw, and rookie PG Sean Singletary. In the short term, it means the Suns will be playing with a skeleton crew tonight at Staples... and also totally messes with my planned pregame analysis. In the long run, it's another step in the process of D'D'Antonizing the roster, adding a more conventional, more talented shooting guard to a lineup that already includes O'Neal, Steve Nash, and Amare Stoudamire.

Richardson is a fantastic three point shooter (currently up around 46%) and given his explosive offensive talent- far more versatile than either Diaw or Bell- should help spread the floor for a team determined to force feed O'Neal down low. It should help Stoudamire as well. On the other end, Richardson isn't a good defender, making you wonder how exactly they're going to continue the drive to improve in that area- again it looks like Phoenix is built to pile up points- but overall it's a net positive for the Suns, at least on a sheer talent level.

It's certainly going to make them a more complicated cover for the Lakers, once everyone is on board and the Suns have had a chance to integrate Richardson into their offense.

How this makes sense for Charlotte I'm not sure, but frankly does it matter?