Suns acquire Nick Richards from Hornets

Suns acquire Nick Richards from Hornets

The Phoenix Suns have acquired Nick Richards and one second-round pick from the Charlotte Hornets in exchange for wing Josh Okogie plus three second-round picks, ESPN NBA insider Shams Charania first reported Wednesday.

The Charlotte Hornets are trading 7-foot center Nick Richards and one second-round pick to the Phoenix Suns for Josh Okogie and three second-round picks, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/RwPGJH5lzo

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) January 15, 2025

According to ESPN’s Bobby Marks, Charlotte is getting back to Denver seconds in (2026, 2031) plus the Suns’ 2031 second-rounder while Phoenix is getting back Denver’s 2025 second. Thus, the only two picks the Suns have to trade is Denver’s 2025 second plus a 2031 first that they can also swap.

Trade assets remaining in Phoenix

– 2025 Denver 2nd

– 2031 Phoenix 1st (can also swap) https://t.co/LLdcXEbB2S

— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) January 15, 2025

Phoenix’s big situation was a disaster. It was previously rumored that both sides were considering a Richards-Jusuf Nurkic swap. Though they would’ve needed to find a third team to facilitate because Nurkic ($18.1M) makes far too much than Charlotte ($5M) could absorb in a straight-up package. By trading Richards, Charlotte was eligible to absorb up to 200 percent plus $250K, which Okogie ($8.3M) fits into.

Richards, 27, is averaging 8.9 points, 7.5 rebounds and 1.2 blocks in 21 games this year, including nine starts. Carrying a 7-foot-4 wingspan, he’s an above-average rebounder and an effective shot-blocker, hauling down a career-high 19.2 percent of misses while rejecting a career-high 5.9 percent of his blocks. He is mobile enough to play high up at the level or deeper in drop while Nurkic did the latter much better than the former.

Phoenix is so strapped for draft assets as it is, so losing two more isn’t ideal. Though they needed an athletic big man more than anything, and Nurkic is far from that. I guess it’s now time for Mark Williams and Moussa Diabate season in Charlotte, which is very fun to think about in the short- and long-term if both can stay healthy.

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This is a breaking news story. Stay tuned for updates!

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