Wolves Trade Richardson

The poor man has been traded once again.

Jerry Zgoda (Star Tribune) reports Small forward Quentin Richardson has been traded to the Miami Heat for center Mark Blount. The teams are essentially swapping expiring contracts, but the Minnesota Timberwolves will save $1.4 million in salary.  The move was more about  roster and salary cap flexibility, than reacquiring Blount.

This is the same Blount that used to be with the Timberwolves, before he and small forward Ricky Davis were traded to the Heat in 2007 in a deal that brought Antoine Walker and a 2009 first-round pick.

Blount is not expected to wear the Wolves’ uniform again, because the Timberwolves will likely use Blount’s expiring contract as a trade asset.  If they don’t find a deal that requires Blount’s expiring contract, the Timberwolves could possibly released him.

By acquiring Blount, the Timberwolves will save more money releasing Blount than they would have by keeping and releasing Richardson.

The Timberwolves still have veteran small forwards Corey Brewer and Ryan Gomes on their roster.  Gomes is coming off of a solid season, but Brewer is returning from a major knee injury that forced him to miss most of the season.

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