Phoenix had 99 problems. Nick Richards was not one.
Welcome to our Phoenix Suns Season in Review series, where we take a closer look at each player who suited up during the 2024–25 campaign. One by one, we’ll break down what went right, what went wrong, and what each player can do to take the next step heading into next season.
Oh, Nick Richards. The latest in a long line of trade deadline acquisitions who arrive, flash some promise, and get quickly anointed by the fanbase as the next great steal. It’s a familiar pattern in Phoenix.
Nick Richards is the greatest center in the history of the Suns pic.twitter.com/jJ0UYObi3v
— John Voita, III (@DarthVoita) January 18, 2025
But time, as it tends to do, brings everything back to reality. The averages settle. The flashes fade. And what’s left is the truth: Nick Richards is a serviceable center, not a cornerstone.
To his credit, Richards brought something the Suns sorely lacked: athleticism. That alone made him stand out. But he’s also a player with clear areas for growth. Part of me wonders what might have happened if Mike Budenholzer had leaned on him more. Richards played just 22.7 minutes per game and averaged only 2.6 fouls, so it’s not like he was regularly in foul trouble and unplayable.
His per-36 numbers in Phoenix? A solid 15.1 points and 13.6 rebounds. Sure, it’s unrealistic to expect that kind of output if you just tack on 14 more minutes, but it does leave you curious.
The Suns had plenty of issues this season, but I wouldn’t say Nick Richards was one of them. Considering how little they gave up to get him—and the relatively modest $5 million he’ll earn next year—he was one of the pleasant surprises. Not franchise-altering. Not game-to-game altering. But a nice, financially friendly addition to a team that needed exactly that.
Nick Richards
- Position: Center
- Vitals: 7’0”, 245 pounds, 27 years old
- Experience: 5 years
- Stats (with Phoenix): 36 GP, 9.5 PPG (60.5 FG%, 82.2 FT%), 8.6 RPG, 0.6 APG, 0.8 BLK
Contract Details
Richards signed a three-year, $15 million deal with the Hornets in 2023, and Phoenix acquired him midway through year two. That means he’ll return next season on an expiring $5 million contract, with the Suns holding his Bird rights heading into the summer.
Regular Season Recap
Richards began the season with the team that drafted him, the Charlotte Hornets, selected 42nd overall in the 2020 NBA Draft out of Kentucky. In 21 games with the Hornets, he started nine. But as the Suns navigated a turbulent situation at the center position, sparked by a rift between head coach Mike Budenholzer and starter-turned-bench piece Jusuf Nurkic, they found themselves in need of depth.
On January 15, Phoenix struck a deal, acquiring Richards and a 2025 second-round pick from Charlotte in exchange for Josh Okogie and three second-rounders.
Richards wasted no time making his presence felt. In his Suns debut against the Pistons, he poured in 21 points and grabbed 11 rebounds, helping lift Phoenix to a 125–121 victory.
Richards went on to grab double-digit rebounds in 13 of his 36 games with the Suns, starting in 34 of them.
While he wasn’t a consistent offensive weapon, averaging just 9.5 points in 22.7 minutes per game, his production often surpassed what Jusuf Nurkic delivered in nearly the same amount of playing time. And the kicker? Richards did it at a fraction of the cost—more than $10 million cheaper.
Biggest Strength
Richards is a reliable rebounder, one of those guys who hunts the ball the moment it comes off the rim. Paired with his instincts as a rim protector, he’s carved out a clear role for himself in the NBA as an effective presence in the paint.
Is he starter material? That’s still up for debate, and maybe something he never fully grows into. But as a rotational center, his value is undeniable. He rebounds, he defends the rim, and that combination will keep him in the league for years to come.
Biggest Weakness
Like most centers earning around $5 million a year, Richards comes with his fair share of limitations, especially on the offensive end. He’s an effective rim runner and can throw down with authority, but his impact drops off significantly the further he gets from the basket. Outside of 10 feet, he’s practically a non-factor.
Defensively, his raw tools are there, but his decision-making can be hit-or-miss. He struggles at times with switch-heavy defenses, often finding himself caught in no-man’s land during high pick-and-roll actions. Should he drop back? Step up on the ball handler? That hesitation leads to breakdowns and open looks, something that opponents have learned to exploit.
Likelihood of Return: 9.5
The Phoenix Suns are strapped for cash, and the deal they have Nick Richards on next season is the definition of bang for your buck. At just $5 million, getting a starting-caliber center for 34 games felt like a luxury for a team buried deep in the second apron.
Sure, Richards plays like a $5 million-a-year center. And that’s exactly the point. When you’re operating under tight financial constraints, you’re forced to compromise on upside and star potential. Richards was part of that compromise. A reliable, athletic big who can hold the line without breaking the bank.
Overall Grade: B-
I’m a fan of Nick Richards, especially when you weigh production against price. At $5 million, he’s a damn solid backup center. I’d give him a B- overall. He plays the role he’s asked to play, and more often than not, he does it well.
Does he have limitations? Of course. That’s been the eternal struggle with centers in Phoenix. We expect them to be everything, to check all six boxes. But realistically, you’re lucky if they check three.
For me, Richards checks three: rebounding, rim protection, and rim running. The others—pick-and-roll defense, hands, outside shooting—those are still areas for growth. But at his price point, I’ll take that trade-off any day.
He’s not a franchise changer, but he’s reliable. Whether he starts next year is still up in the air. If the Suns return to their 3×5 roster philosophy—three deep at all five positions—Richards could be the perfect piece in that rotation. Judging by what he did this season, he showed up, stayed ready, and gave the team exactly what was needed.
And for me, that’s enough.
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