The Phoenix Suns have traded Josh Okogie and three second-round picks to the Charlotte Hornets for Nick Richards (per Shams Charania).
The Suns recently benched center Jusuf Nurkic after poor play, and this implicated that a trade was going to happen soon.
Bradley Beal is another player who was moved to the second unit by Phoenix, and this has turned heads as well.
Is Jimmy Butler Looming?
Jimmy Butler has been the biggest name on the trade block in the last month. He requested a trade from the Miami Heat and the Suns are the main team linked to him.
Phoenix has been struggling as of late, and they need some immediate help. Jimmy Butler will instantly give them a boost of production with scoring and defense.
The Suns are 4-6 in their last ten games, and they need to give Kevin Durant and Devin Booker a real chance to win.
Bradley Beal will certainly be the guy that’s moved in a trade for Butler, but it will most likely be a three-team trade to make money work.
Will Richards Be A Solid Piece?
Nick Richards has averaged 8.9 points and 7.5 rebounds in 21 minutes per game this season for the Hornets.
Charlotte is a terrible situation for players and Richards joining a win-now team like Phoenix will help his development.
PJ Washington is a guy who proved this. Once he left the Hornets he contributed to the Dallas Mavericks, who ended up making the NBA Finals that season.
Will Phoenix Make Some Noise?
If the Suns can go out and trade Bradley Beal for Jimmy Butler, they will become championship contenders overnight.
The addition of solid big in Richards will be the perfect piece if they end up trading for Butler. The starting five would consist of Tyus Jones, Devin Booker, Jimmy Butler, Kevin Durant and Nick Richards.
This starting unit would be one of the best in the association. If Phoenix wants to contend, they have to do whatever they can to pull this off.
