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Washington Wizards: Ranking The Top 5 Shooting Guards In Recent Franchise History

By Ben Mehic

Apr 8, 2016; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Washington Wizards guard Bradley Beal (3) looks to take the shot during the first quarter against the Detroit Pistons at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 8, 2016; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Washington Wizards guard Bradley Beal (3) looks to take the shot during the first quarter against the Detroit Pistons at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports /
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4) Mitch Richmond

by Oz Baig

Mitch Richmond is a Hall-of-Famer and a player who, by some, was considered the second best shooting guard in the NBA for a period of time behind Michael Jordan.

For his career he averaged 21 points, nearly 4 rebounds and 4 assists per game on 45.5 percent shooting the field and 38.8 percent from beyond the arc.

Richmond was named an All-Star six times and was named to one of All-NBA teams on five separate occasions.

His resume is littered with accolades, but for Mitch, much of this success came while playing in anonymity for the Sacramento Kings.

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In Washington, Richmond’s solid play continued, averaging 17.8 points in his three seasons with the Wizards.

Richmond was a hard-nosed, two-way player whose skill-set would just as easily translate to today’s NBA game.

Unfortunately for Richmond, he will not be remembered by Washington Wizards fans for his play in D.C., but instead will always signify arguably the worst trade in Washington Bullets/Wizards franchise history.

Wes Unseld, the Wizards’ general manager at that time, traded then franchise player Chris Webber (25 at the time of the trade) to the Kings in exchange for Richmond (32) and Otis Thorpe (35).

Washington traded young for old and big for small in this move and the results were nightmarish.

The next three seasons saw Washington go 66-148 (31% win percentage), a far fall for a team that just a few seasons earlier was considered one of the up-and-coming teams in the NBA by none other than Jordan after a first round playoff series with the Chris Webber/Juwan Howard led Washington Bullets/Wizards.

While the wheels had come off in Washington, things were on the up and up in Sacramento as they went 126-88 in the three years preceding the trade (59% win percentage).

Webber led the Kings to a 55-win season in 2000-01.

Coming off a disappointing 42-40 season and off court issues, Washington reacted swiftly in making this trade in spite of the known risks.

“I understand when you do trade young for old and big for little, you’re open for criticism. But we desperately needed proven leadership and someone to get you a basket,” Wes Unseld said.

Fallasha Erwin, Webber’s agent had this to say at the time of the trade: “I think they’re making a mistake, but only time will tell.”

Time did tell, and unfortunately Unseld ignored the old adage that Father Time is undefeated.

Webber continued to ascend to new heights and Richmond quickly began to show his age as he got to the Wizards.

Richmond’s shooting plummeted in Washington to 41.7 shooting from the field and 35 percent from downtown.

Washington did not see very much of the hard-nosed, no-nonsense scorer we were told had been lighting up the Western Conference. Instead, Washington received a player who was past his prime, and while effective, was not able to play at the level that was necessary to help the Wizards take the next step.

Richmond will be remembered as a Hall-of-Fame player, but in Washington he’ll be remembered for the future Hall-of-Fame player Washington traded away.

Next: 3) Beal

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