The offseason has been relatively quiet for the Suns, primarily because they seem committed to their current roster due to the limitations of being a second-apron team.
Making trades involving their star players or role players is more complicated since they can’t aggregate salaries to match contracts for incoming players. Additionally, they can’t take on more salary in a trade than they send out.
General manager James Jones also confirmed on The Burns & Gambo Show that the team’s big three “aren’t going anywhere” this summer, effectively quashing rumors of any blockbuster trades.
However, there has been some speculation about potentially moving players like Jusuf Nurkic, Grayson Allen, and Nassir Little for players who may better fit with the current roster.
With limited avenues to enhance their rotation, acquiring Nick Richards could be a cost-effective solution, potentially swapping him for Little’s contract.
While it might require an additional draft pick, bringing in Richards would bolster the team’s physical presence and provide a solid backup for Nurkic, which aligns with the Suns’ goals if they’re serious about winning now.
Richards brings energy, size, and the ability to finish at the rim, along with some versatility as a defender. A player who meets those criteria would be a valuable addition to a Suns team that has often been considered soft, making them more formidable in playoff scenarios.
Having logged between 18 and 26 minutes per game over the past two seasons, Richards has demonstrated he can handle significant playing time in the NBA.
While acquiring Richards may not be a game-changing move to elevate the Suns to the top tier, it could help them get closer to being competitive.
