On Wednesday, Phoenix Suns acquired Jamaican-born big man Nick Richards from the Charlotte Hornets. The move gives Phoenix some breathing room when it comes to their tax bill this season while also providing Kevin Durant and Co. much-needed frontcourt depth amid Jusuf Nurkic’s struggles.
Durant and the Suns are 11th in the Western Conference, half a game behind 10th. Golden State WarriorsRichards is expected to give the team a midseason boost.
Richards is averaging 8.9 points, 56.1% shooting, 7.5 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game this season. Durant is excited to see what he can bring to the Suns.
•
AZ Central’s Duane Rankin spoke with the superstar forward about the addition of Richards and what his sharp inside game means for the team as they look to move up the order.
“He’s a strong presence in the paint, a big body that can wreak havoc down there and cause rim protection issues,” Durant said Thursday.
“Getting the basketball on the offensive glass and then finishing above the rim. That’s something we all have to get better at as a group. Hopefully he leads us in that area. He just controls the paint.”
Kevin Durant wishes Josh Okogie the best after the Suns-Hornets trade for Nick Richards
While the Suns acquired Nick Richards from the Hornets along with a second-round pick, the team parted ways with Josh Okogie and three second-round picks.
Although Okogie only played 14.0 minutes per game this season, his hard work and his tenacity made him a player respected not only by the fans but also by Kevin Durant.
After Wednesday’s trade, Durant spoke with Duane Rankin about the impact Okogie’s departure will have on the team and wished him the best of luck in Charlotte.
“I really appreciated the way Josh approached the game and his love for his teammates,” Durant said. I wish him the best. I’m sure we’ll meet again. He’s a great teammate, but I’m looking forward to having Nick in the team.”
The big question after the Suns trade for Richards is whether that move will be the only move Phoenix makes before the trade deadline. While the acquisition of Richards is expected to bolster the team’s frontcourt, the consensus is that the Suns need at least one more piece.
Despite the three-headed monster of Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal, with the Western Conference as competitive as ever, it may take more than added frontcourt depth for Phoenix to become a legitimate postseason threat.
Edited by Victor Ramon Galvez
