The Phoenix Suns went double-dipping at the center position during the first round of the 2025 NBA Draft. First, they selected Duke freshman Khaman Maluach with the 10th overall pick. Soon after, it was announced that the team acquired big man Mark Williams from the Charlotte Hornets. With two new centers in tow, that seems to leave Suns center Nick Richards as a likely trade candidate.
After Moves Made At Draft, Suns Could Look To Trade This Center
Nick Richards Could Be A Potential Trade Candidate
The 27-year old Richards hasn’t even been on the Suns roster for half a year. The team acquired him on January 15 in yet another deal with the Hornets. Pretty much from the start, Phoenix inserted him into their starting lineup. With the drafting of Maluach and the trade for Williams, Richards looks to now be third in the pecking order in the Suns depth chart at center.
That would make it a strong possibility that the Suns could look to deal the seven-footer. Richards is on the last season of a three-year, $15 million deal that he signed while with Charlotte. The $5 million for next season becomes guaranteed on June 29. It was reported by HoopsHype a few days ago that the Suns intended to keep him. That was before Wednesday’s moves though. Even as he looks to be a third-stringer, keeping Richards would be wise. Next year’s salary is for a fairly inexpensive amount, and he could potentially be utilized in a trade.
Traded To Phoenix Last Season
The Suns head coach last season, Mike Budenholzer, was done with longtime Phoenix starting center Jusuf Nurkic. Eventually, he was traded in early February in a deal with, you guessed it, the Hornets. It was Richards that filled in as the starting center for the Suns when they believed they were still in playoff contention. Of course, that didn’t work out as planned, and they didn’t even reach the Play-In Tournament.
Last season was the fifth of Richards’ NBA career. He started 34 of his 36 appearances after joining the Suns. Playing 22.7 minutes per contest, Richards posted averages of 9.5 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 0.8 blocks. He shot 60.5% from the field and 82.2% from the free-throw line. Phoenix went 13-23 in the outings that he appeared in.
Selected with the 42nd overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, many would point to the Los Angeles Lakers as a potential team that could look to acquire Richards. It was back in February, where they actually had a deal for Williams, but the trade was rescinded due to a failed physical on his part. They instead utilized Jaxson Hayes as their starting center, but he was played off the court in their opening round loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves. Could they look to acquire Williams’ former teammate with Charlotte in Richards instead?
While Richards might be overextended as a team’s starting center, he is more than capable of being a solid choice as a primary backup. He would likely have other suitors than the Lakers if the Suns keep him at his $5 million salary and put him on the trade block.
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