The Phoenix Suns are introducing a new center.
The Suns reached a deal for Charlotte Hornets 7-footer Nick Richards on Wednesday afternoon, according to to Shams Charania of ESPN. In exchange, the Suns will send guard Josh Okogie to the Hornets along with three future second-round picks. The Suns will also receive a future second-round pick from the Hornets as part of the deal.
Although it’s not the blockbuster deal Phoenix has been linked to recently – Miami Heat star Jimmy Butler demanded a tradeand the Suns would be among the top teams to draft him before the deadline – Richards’ arrival should provide significant help on the interior.
Richards averaged 8.9 points and 7.5 rebounds per game this season, his fifth in the league. He was first selected in the second round of the 2020 NBA Draft out of Kentucky, and he has largely come off the Hornets’ bench throughout his career. He’s also shot 65 percent from the field over the past four seasons, which is fifth-best in the league over that span. according to ESPN. Richards is in the second year of a three-year, $15 million contract.
Okogie averaged 6 points and 2.9 rebounds per game this season, his third in Phoenix. The 26-year-old is in the first year of a two-year, $16 million contract. The Hornets hold just an 8-28 record heading into Wednesday’s game against the Utah Jazz.
The Suns are 19-20 heading into Thursday’s game against the Washington Wizards. Although they have won four of their last six games, that follows a stretch in which they lost seven of eight and forced them to change their starting lineup. While Richards’ arrival won’t solve all of their problems, he is undoubtedly a great addition to the team heading into the halfway point of the season.