Cole Anthony Heads to Phoenix in Four-Player Trade: What It Means for the Suns and the Former Tar Heel
Cole Anthony’s NBA journey has taken another sharp turn. After a whirlwind year that’s already seen him change jerseys twice, the former Tar Heel is now packing his bags for the desert. The Phoenix Suns have acquired Anthony and wing Amir Coffey from the Milwaukee Bucks in a four-player deal that sends big man Nick Richards and forward Nigel Hayes-Davis to Milwaukee.
This marks Anthony’s third team in less than a year. After being traded from the Orlando Magic to the Grizzlies last June, he was waived just a month later and quickly scooped up by the Bucks. Now, as the 2026 NBA Trade Deadline approaches, he’s on the move again-this time to a Suns squad looking to shore up its backcourt depth for the stretch run.
A Quiet Stint in Milwaukee
Anthony’s time in Milwaukee was short and, frankly, quiet. In 35 games, he averaged just 15.1 minutes per night-the lowest of his career-and posted 6.7 points and 3.5 assists per game. For a player who’s shown he can start and be productive when given the opportunity, it was a limited role that didn’t allow him to fully showcase his game.
With Damian Lillard and Malik Beasley commanding the lion’s share of backcourt minutes, Anthony found himself buried in the rotation. But the talent is still there.
He’s a shifty, confident scorer who can get downhill and create off the dribble, and he’s shown flashes of being a capable playmaker in pick-and-roll situations. The question now is whether Phoenix can offer him the kind of role that lets those skills breathe.
What the Suns Are Getting
For the Suns, this move is about depth and flexibility. The backcourt has leaned heavily on Devin Booker and Bradley Beal, with limited production behind them.
Anthony gives Phoenix a scoring punch off the bench and a player who can step in and run the offense when needed. He’s playing for a new contract this summer, so expect him to be motivated-and maybe a little hungry to prove he belongs in a bigger role.
Amir Coffey, also part of the deal, brings length and versatility on the wing. He’s a low-usage player who can defend multiple positions, which fits nicely alongside the Suns’ star-heavy roster. But make no mistake-Anthony is the headliner here.
Milwaukee’s Angle
On the Bucks’ side, this deal is more about reshaping the bench and maybe adding a bit more size. Nick Richards gives them a traditional center presence, someone who can eat minutes behind Brook Lopez and Bobby Portis. Nigel Hayes-Davis is a depth piece with overseas experience who could carve out a role depending on how Milwaukee’s rotation shakes out.
The Bucks chose to stand pat with their core-Giannis Antetokounmpo, Lillard, Khris Middleton-but moves like this suggest they’re still tinkering around the edges in search of the right supporting cast.
Two Tar Heels, Two New Homes
Anthony wasn’t the only former North Carolina standout on the move before the deadline. Coby White, another product of Chapel Hill, is heading to the Charlotte Hornets, returning to his home state. It’s a full-circle moment for White and a fresh start for Anthony, who now lands in Phoenix with a chance to re-establish his value ahead of free agency.
For Anthony, this is an opportunity-not just to play more minutes, but to remind people of the dynamic guard who once looked like a future starter in Orlando. If the Suns can carve out a consistent role for him, don’t be surprised if he makes the most of it.