Malachi Richardson talks NBA Summer League, the Kawhi Leonard/DeMar DeRozan trade and fatherhood

Brooklyn, New York - As it turns out, the guys playing for Boeheim’s Army weren’t the only Syracuse Orange basketball alumnus at LIU Brooklyn last night. Malachi Richardson — now with the Toronto Raptors organization — came out for The Basketball Tournament in New York to support his former college program.

Since leading Syracuse to the Final Four in 2016, Malachi has played in the NBA for the Sacramento Kings and the aforementioned Raptors. He’s just coming off NBA Summer League where he had a solid showing, scoring in double-figures on multiple occasions. Of his experience this summer, Malachi said he was pleased.

“It was great. We didn’t get the outcome that we wanted but I played well so from a personal aspect it was positive for me,” He said. “I think it was a pretty positive outcome. I just want to keep getting better, get home, put some work in and get ready for the season.”

The Raptors figure to make some noise in a LeBron-less Eastern Conference. After all, they are coming off a season where they earned the No. 1 seed in the East. But the Raptors made a large hedge this season, shipping out its best player in DeMar DeRozan for Kawhi Leonard. Leonard only has one year left on his contract, but figures to be the star in the Six alongside Kyle Lowry.

Malachi hedged himself when speaking on the trade, acknowledging he’ll miss DeMar but thinks Kawhi can be big.

“Definitely sad to see DeMar go. I think Kawhi can definitely help us. I look forward to meeting him and winning more games.”

Of course, Malachi is also a father now. The balance of playing profession basketball and being present for your child are likely challenging, but he seems to be relishing his role as a parent.

“It’s fun,” he said. “Being able to come home after a workout or game and being able to hold my son. It’s cool.”

Maybe Malachi can teach his son about the three goggles.

Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images