Valley Rising: Phoenix Suns Land Nick Richards in Blockbuster Trade to Revamp Center Rotation

The Phoenix Suns have bolstered their center rotation with the acquisition of Nick Richards. According to Shams Charania, the Suns secured Richards and a 2025 second-round pick (via Denver) in exchange for Josh Okogie and three second-round picks. Richards has been impressive in his limited starts this season, averaging 11.3 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks in nine games. His overall season averages of 8.9 points, 7.5 rebounds, 1.3 assists, and 1.2 blocks in just 21 minutes per game highlight his efficiency and impact. Over the past four seasons, Richards has maintained a remarkable 65% shooting accuracy, ranking fifth-best in the league among players with at least 800 attempts, per ESPN Research.

This move addresses a glaring weakness in Phoenix’s center rotation. With Jusuf Nurkic seeing recent DNPs and Mason Plumlee likely in a reduced role, the Suns appear set to lean heavily on Richards and rookie Oso Ighodaro moving forward. Richards’ ability to protect the rim, rebound effectively, and finish efficiently around the basket makes him a significant upgrade for Phoenix.

The Suns’ front office also added flexibility with the acquisition of Denver’s 2025 second-round pick, potentially setting up further trade opportunities. While the departure of Okogie is bittersweet, his trade value reflects why Phoenix signed him to a movable contract this past summer.

This deal signals the Suns’ commitment to improving their frontcourt depth as they aim to solidify their roster for a deep playoff run. The Valley now welcomes Richards, whose contributions could prove pivotal.