The Phoenix Suns got their guy.
After years of fans and reporters circling Charlotte center Nick Richards from afar, he’s headed to Phoenix for the price of Josh Okogie, two 2nd-round picks, and a 2nd-round pick swap.
So what will he change?
The Suns are current stuck in a rut of inconsistency and poor competitive spirit. At first glance, a backup big man feels like a whisper in the wind of all the issues facing this team.
But Richards’ strenghts align pretty nicely with the Suns’ weaknesses.
Start with the rebounding. Richards would rank as a top-10 offensive rebounder and top-15 defensive rebounder in the NBA if he played enough minutes to make the list. Beyond that, he is above average as a finisher and rim protector. For a team that gets crushed in the paint on a nightly basis, Richards will be a refreshing addition.
Richards does have his warts. Like the Suns’ other centers, he struggles with turnovers. His offensive skill level is pretty limited, making him a traditional rim-running center. Defensively, he is primarily a rim protector and not as effective moving his feet on the perimeter.
But given that the Suns haven’t even been able to stick with one center this season who is a consistent positive on the court, Richards figures to help significantly.
Looking forward, this first move will decide if there is a second. Can Richards hold down the 5 spot, or do they need more? Does the insertion of a solid center improve the team enough to convince the Suns’ front office to reach higher? That all comes down to how Richards meets this moment and the ripple effects across the rest of the team.
