The Phoenix Suns' center rotation was in a dire state recently. Phoenix hopes trading for Nick Richards from the Charlotte Hornets will help ease their concerns.
The addition of Richards is a sign the Suns are still going for it this season, as they still have the big three of Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal in place. The trio has had to help out in terms of the team's big man responsibilities, and now there's a chance they can scale back on such endeavors and focus more on offensive output.
On Wednesday, the Phoenix Suns acquired Jamaican-born big man Nick Richards from the Charlotte Hornets. The move gives Phoenix some breathing room when it comes to their tax bill this season while providing Kevin Durant and Co. much-needed frontcourt depth amid Jusuf Nurkic's struggles.
The Phoenix Suns are reportedly interested in a trade for Charlotte Hornets backup center Nick Richards. Arizona Sports’ John
Much like his fans, Phoenix Suns superstar Kevin Durant is excited for the acquisition of seven-foot center Nick Richards from the Charlotte Hornets. “He’s a strong presence in the paint,” Durant told Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic.
The Suns are acquiring Nick Richards and a second-round from the Hornets in exchange for Josh Okogie and three second-round picks.
The Phoenix Suns are reportedly looking to trade Jusuf Nurkic as they aim to strengthen their roster ahead of the Feb. 7 trade deadline.
One NBA executive joked about Suns owner Mat Ishbia having a new rule made for him with the Kevin Durant trade possibly backfiring.
However, they’ve added a player in Richards who can provide the rebounding and rim protection the current rotation lacks while not needing to have plays run for him offensively. While there were opportunities for him to shine in Charlotte,
The Phoenix Suns have made a trade. No, not that trade. Jimmy Butler remains a member of the Miami Heat for the time being, but even as the Suns continue to try to pry him away, they have managed to make a deal of another sort by acquiring Charlotte Hornets center Nick Richards along with a 2025 Denver Nuggets second-round pick for Josh Okogie and three second-round picks: two from the Nuggets (2026 and 2031) along with a Suns original (2031).
Phoenix was expected to be one of the top teams in the Western Conference this season thanks to their superstar trio of Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal. They started the season off strong, winning eight of their first nine games, but it has been a major struggle since.