The Indiana Pacers have a clear need in the middle, and with the trade deadline approaching, there’s a name floating around that could help-Nick Richards. According to league sources, the Phoenix Suns have made the 7-footer available, largely in an effort to dodge the luxury tax. His expiring $5 million contract makes him a financially digestible piece, and for a Pacers team still tinkering with its frontcourt, that’s worth a closer look.
Let’s be real: Richards isn’t going to shift the balance of power in the East. He’s not a franchise cornerstone or a long-term solution at center. But in the short term, he could be exactly the kind of functional, low-risk addition Indiana needs as it continues to experiment with lineups and rotations for the future.
The Pacers' center rotation has been a mixed bag this season. Jay Huff has had his moments, but he’s recently been moved to the bench, a move that raises more questions than answers.
Isaiah Jackson, once viewed as a potential breakout candidate, has struggled to carve out a consistent role. His January numbers-2.3 points and 3.2 rebounds in just nine minutes per game-paint a picture of a player currently on the fringes of the rotation.
And while Micah Potter had a promising start, his production has cooled off significantly, shooting just 37.7% from the field and 32.4% from deep over his last 11 games.
That leaves the Pacers in a familiar spot: searching for stability at the five. Richards may not be the long-term fix, but he offers a skill set that could help stabilize things in the short term.
He’s a classic paint presence-strong around the rim on both ends of the floor. Last season, splitting time between the Suns and Hornets, Richards put up 9.3 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 1 block per game while shooting an efficient 59.1% from the field. He doesn’t need the ball to be effective, and his rebounding chops are legit-he ranked 17th in the league in total rebound percentage in 2023-24.
Defensively, he’s a bit of a mixed bag. While he’s a solid rim protector, his perimeter awareness and overall consistency on that end still leave room for improvement.
And in today’s NBA, his lack of floor spacing is a real limitation. He’s not going to stretch defenses or open up driving lanes with a jumper.
But what he does bring-energy, effort, and physicality in the paint-could be exactly what Indiana needs as it evaluates its frontcourt options heading into the offseason.
The Pacers have reportedly shown interest in Richards before, and with his contract set to expire, the cost to acquire him shouldn’t be steep. For a team still figuring out its identity and building toward sustainable contention, this is the kind of low-risk, potentially high-reward move that makes sense.
No, Nick Richards won’t solve all of Indiana’s problems. But he could help them answer a few pressing questions-and right now, that’s a step in the right direction.