The Phoenix Suns are reportedly looking trade one of their veteran centers.
Nick Richards is on the trade block ahead of February's trade deadline, per Forbes NBA insider Evan Sidery.
"The Suns are actively shopping Nick Richards for forward depth while also dipping under the luxury tax," Sidery said.
Richards is averaging 3.3 points and 2.4 rebounds in 9.4 minutes per game this season. His $5 million contract expires this offseason.
He's in his first full season with the Suns after being acquired in a trade last January. Phoenix sent Josh Okogie and multiple second-round picks to the Charlotte Hornets for Richards.
He had a nice career with the Hornets, averaging 9.7 points, eight rebounds and 1.1 blocks in 67 games in the 2023-24 season. But he hasn't found a consistent role in Phoenix behind former Hornets teammate Mark Williams, who the Suns traded for during the 2025 draft.
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A trade could give rookie center Khaman Maluach more minutes. Maluach, a top-10 pick in last year's draft, has played in just 17 of the Suns' 37 games this season. He's averaging 1.4 points, one rebound and shooting 42.1% from the field.
"Phoenix is currently $300k over the tax, which goes away swapping Richards for a player making $4.7 million or less. Trading Richards also opens up a role for Khaman Maluach."
Richards, a six-year NBA veteran, has averaged 6.9 points, 5.7 rebounds and 0.8 blocks per game in his career. He could be an enticing option for a contending team due to his affordable contract.
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