The Phoenix Suns may be nearing a roster shake-up, and veteran center Nick Richards is right at the heart of it. With the NBA trade deadline fast approaching, all signs point to Phoenix exploring ways to move Richards - and the Toronto Raptors have emerged as a team to watch.
According to league chatter, the Suns nearly sent Richards to Toronto recently, and there’s a chance those talks could reignite. The motivation for Phoenix is clear: Richards is on an expiring $5 million deal, and moving him would offer valuable relief from the luxury tax, especially with the team operating under the constraints of the first apron.
From a basketball standpoint, Richards has struggled to carve out a consistent role in Phoenix this season. In 23 appearances, he’s averaging just 3.2 points and 3.3 rebounds per game, and he hasn’t logged more than 20 minutes in a single contest since late November. A big part of that is the Suns’ frontcourt rotation - Richards has largely played behind Mark Williams, his former teammate from Charlotte, and the team appears to be prioritizing the development of rookie center Khaman Maluach.
That shift in focus makes Richards expendable. But it’s worth remembering that he wasn’t always on the fringes.
After arriving from the Hornets at last year’s trade deadline, Richards stepped in and made an impact right away. He started 34 of 36 games for Phoenix down the stretch, averaging 9.5 points and 8.6 rebounds.
He brought energy, rim protection, and a physical interior presence that helped stabilize the Suns’ front line during a crucial stretch.
Now, that same skill set could be exactly what the Raptors need. With Jakob Poeltl sidelined indefinitely, Toronto is thin at the center position.
Rookie Collin Murray-Boyles has stepped up admirably in Poeltl’s absence, averaging 7.7 points and 5.5 boards while earning a nod to the Rising Stars Challenge. But if the Raptors want to make a push - or simply reinforce their depth - a veteran like Richards could be a smart, low-risk addition.
Of course, if no deal materializes before Thursday’s deadline, the Suns may opt to waive Richards outright. That would clear a roster spot and some cap flexibility, but it would also close the door on getting any return for a player who, not long ago, was a key piece in their rotation.
For now, all eyes are on Toronto. With the clock ticking and needs on both sides, this is one to watch.