In a little bit of a twist, the Phoenix Suns and Charlotte Hornets completed a trade earlier this evening. While the trade wasn’t what was expected, the Suns still got their “big man,” in Nick Richards, per ESPN’s Shams Charania.
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.
NBA Trade Grades: Suns and Hornets Twist Things Up, But Suns Get Their Big Man
Phoenix and Charlotte reportedly started discussing a trade involving Richards on Saturday. The Suns were one of several teams interested in the 27-year-old center. However, the trade talks reportedly involved Jusuf Nurkic being sent to Charlotte.
The problem with that rumor was that there was no confirmation that the Hornets wanted Nurkic. Also, the Hornets would have sent another player to Phoenix for salary-matching purposes.
As a result, the Suns and Hornets agreed to a compromise by sending Okogie and draft picks to Charlotte in exchange for Richards. Charlotte is also sending a second-round draft pick to Phoenix.
Phoenix (19-20) is tied for 11th place with Golden State (19-20), one-half game out of the NBA Play-In tournament in the West. The Suns are just two and one-half games behind the Los Angeles Clippers and Dallas for fifth in the conference. They had their longest winning streak (three) snapped by Atlanta last night and continue their five-game road trip in Washington on Thursday.
Meanwhile, Charlotte (9-28) has lost 22 of its last 27 games. The Hornets are on pace to finish their fifth campaign with less than 20 wins. The Hornets, who are concluding a supposed five-game road trip, had two of their road contests in LA canceled because of the wildfires on Friday in Chicago.
Hornets- Suns Trade Details
Phoenix Suns Get:
Nick Richards
2025 Hornets Second-Round Pick
- Pick is the least favorable of Philadelphia or Denver’s Selection.
Charlotte Hornets Get:
Josh Okogie
Denver Nuggets 2026 Second-Round Pick
Nuggets 2031 Second-Round Pick
Suns 2031 Second-Round Pick
What Does The Trade Mean For Phoenix
One of Phoenix’s biggest issues—I say one because the Suns have many—has been at center. Nurkic, who the Suns acquired from Portland in September 2023, was initially thought to be part of Phoenix’s first unit expected to compete for a championship. While the 30-year-old Bosnian has been fantastic on the boards, he has struggled offensively, particularly this year—even as a passer—and has not been that strong in the post.
Mason Plumlee has started the past nine games at center for the Suns. While Plumlee has been more effective than Nurkic, he is not a champion-caliber starter. Meanwhile, rookie Oso Ighodoro has shown some promise but is not ready.
Therefore, enter Richards. Richards should immediately step into the Suns’ starting lineup. The 7-footer increases the Suns’ athleticism and rim protection and should also provide some offensive punch.
Richards has struggled a little on the offensive end, although he is generally an outstanding finisher. While he is one of the players who doesn’t need a play called for him. he has struggled to convert on the move, whether driving to the basket or cutting.
Richards should see around 25 minutes at the five. Thus, Plumlee should move back to the bench and likely see around 15 minutes. Therefore, Ighodoro or Kevin Durant will likely fill the remaining minutes at the five.
Phoenix saves money on the deal as Okogie makes $3.2 million more than Richards this year and $2.7 million next. Richards, who is extension eligible, has a 2025-26 contract that doesn’t guarantee until the end of June. The Suns probably insisted on Charlotte’s 2025 second-round choice to entice someone to take Nurkic off their hands. They also created a $3.25 million trade exception with the trade that they could use in any trade before the trade deadline.
“The Phoenix Suns reduced their luxury tax penalty by $20 million by swapping Josh Okogie’s $8.25 million for Nick Richards’ $5 million.” Cap expert Yossi Gozlan tweeted following the completion of the trade.
Grade: B+
What The Trade Means For The Charlotte Hornets
Charlotte has a lot of work to do with its roster to finally be competitive consistently. The Hornets have not won at least 35 games in consecutive seasons since 2015-2020, so any draft capital that they can add is important.
Richards is talented but more of a role player than a starter. Plus, Mark Williams has solidified himself as the Hornets’ starter and is much younger than Richards. Also, the Hornets have reportedly been impressed with two-way player Moussa Diabate.
Okogie, who became trade-eligible yesterday, is a talented wing who has yet to maximize his abilities. The athletic 26-year-old guard is a slasher known for his scoring ability and being an outstanding perimeter defender. While shooting is a weakness, he has made 38.1% of his 3-point attempts this season.
It is hard to imagine Okogie finding a regular spot in Charlotte’s rotation this season, as they are loaded with wings. It is possible that the Hornets, who are still over $7 million below the NBA’s tax line, could flip Okogie before the trade deadline. However, Okogie can’t be combined with another player in a trade. His 2025-26 $7.2 million salary is not guaranteed until the end of June.
Hornets Draft Stash
While Charlotte only netted two draft picks, it still significantly adds to their stash. The Hornet now have potentially 23 draft picks from 2025-2031. Here is a look at the Hornets’ picks:
- 2025 1st Round Pick (own)
- 2025 2nd Round Pick (via Philadelphia, unprotected)
- 2025 2nd Round Pick (via New Orleans, unprotected)
- 2026 1st Round Pick (own) – 2026 2nd Round Pick (own)
- 2026 2nd Round Pick (via Denver) – 2027 1st Round Pick (own)
- 2027 1st Round Pick (via Miami, lottery protected)
- 2027 1st Round Pick (via Dallas, top two protected)
- 2027 2nd Round Pick (own)
- 2027 2nd Round Pick (best of Portland/New Orleans)
- 2028 1st Round Pick (own)
- 2028 2nd Round Pick (own)
- 2028 2nd Round Pick (best of Charlotte/Los Angeles Clippers)
- 2028 2nd Round Pick (via Phoenix)
- 2029 1st Round Pick (own)
- 2029 2nd Round Pick (own)
- 2030 1st Round Pick (own)
- 2030 2nd Round Pick (own)
- 2030 2nd Round Pick (via Denver)
- 2031 1st Round Pick (own)
- 2031 2nd Round Pick (own)
- 2031 2nd Round Pick (via Phoenix)
Trade Grade: B
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