NBA Trade: Suns & Hornets Complete Deal

The Phoenix Suns, in the midst of a frustrating season, have acquired 7-foot center Nick Richards from the Charlotte Hornets.

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

Forward Josh Okogie heads to Charlotte along with three second-round picks — one in 2026 and two in 2031. The Hornets will send a 2025 second-rounder to Phoenix.

Richards is a solid big man on a very affordable contract, with another year remaining at $5M in annual salary. He's expected to slot in as the Suns' starting center , according to John Gambadoro of Arizona Sports 98.7 FM.

The 27-year-old was averaging 8.9 points, 7.5 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game in 21 minutes per contest for the Hornets. But in the nine games he started, he averaged a double-double.

Jusuf Nurkić, who began the year as the Suns starting center, was removed from that role recently, and is now away from the team as they try their darnedest to trade him.

Richards will join Mason Plumlee and Oso Ighodaro as the Suns' big man rotation.

Okogie was averaging 6.0 points and 2.9 rebounds per game in 25 contests for Phoenix, but is known as more of a defensive specialist. He's in the first season of a two-year, $16 million contract.

The Suns are 19-20, in 11th spot in the Western Conference. The Hornets have the 3rd-worst record in the NBA at 8-28.