Minnesota forward Mark Madsen said Monday that he has been traded along with Sebastian Telfair and Craig Smith to the Los Angeles Clippers for Quentin Richardson. Madsen said his agent confirmed the deal, which was first reported by YahooSports.com.
Madsen’s hustle and geniality made him a fan favorite in six seasons in Minnesota. His playing time waned as his career progressed, but he remained a valued leader in the locker room for a young team that is rebuilding.
“This really started to feel like home for me,” Madsen told The Associated Press in a phone interview. “I’ve come to love the state of Minnesota.”
David Kahn’s second big trade as Wolves new boss brings the Wolves a 6-6 player who can play shooting guard, a position of need that until Monday afternoon was filled mostly by rookies Wayne Ellington and Jonny Flynn, a natural point guard.
It also helps create open roster spots with a 3-for-1 deal that also helps balance a roster that was heavy with power forwards and point guards.
Richardson’s $9.35 million contract also expires after this season.
So, too, do the contracts for Madsen and Smith, which means the Wolves get out of Telfair’s $2.7 million player option for the 2010-11 season.
Richardson averaged 10.2 points and 4.4 rebounds last season for the New York Knicks. This is the third time the shooting guard has been traded this summer. He went from the Knicks to Memphis in a deal for Darko Milicic in June before being shipped from the Grizzlies to the Clippers for Zach Randolph last week.
Richardson has one year remaining on his contract at $9.3 million and gives Minnesota a veteran presence at shooting guard that was not there after they traded Randy Foye and Mike Miller to Washington in June.
Rookie Wayne Ellington was the only true shooting guard on the roster before the Wolves acquired Richardson.
Telfair and Smith should help solidify the Clippers’ bench. Telfair will be the backup to point guard Baron Davis, and Smith is a capable power forward. How Madsen might fit in is less clear. All three players’ contracts expire after next season.
Telfair, a point guard who came over in the Kevin garnett trade from Boston, became expendable when the Wolves drafted two point guards in the first round of last month’s NBA Draft.
That’s what happens when you’re a kinda-sorta effective veteran with a hefty ($9.3 million) expiring contract; teams don’t mind having you on-board, but you’re not making anyone feel like they need to keep you if a better offer comes along.
Where does Richardson fit on the Wolves? He does give them an experienced option on the wing, but he doesn’t figure into their long-term plans. His three-point shooting could give them a look they don’t currently have after trading Mike Miller and Randy Foye to the Washington Wizards.
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