On Wednesday, the Phoenix Suns acquired Jamaican-born massive man Nick Richards from the Charlotte Hornets. The transfer provides Phoenix some respiration room with regards to their tax invoice this season whereas offering Kevin Durant and Co. much-needed frontcourt depth amid Jusuf Nurkic’s struggles.
With Durant and the Suns eleventh within the Western Convention, half a sport behind the Tenth-place Golden State Warriors, the expectation is that Richards will give the workforce a elevate heading into the halfway level of the season.
Richards is averaging 8.9 factors, on 56.1% taking pictures, together with 7.5 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per sport this season. Durant is worked up to see what he can convey to the Suns.
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AZ Central’s Duane Rankin spoke with the celebrity ahead concerning the addition of Richards and what his gritty inside play means for the workforce as they appear to maneuver up the standings.
“He’s a powerful presence within the paint, a giant physique that may wreak havoc down there and trigger some issues along with his rim safety,” Durant stated on Thursday.
“Getting his arms on the basketball on the offensive glass after which ending above the rim. It’s one thing all of us need to get higher at as a bunch. Hopefully, he leads us in that space. Simply controlling the paint.”
Kevin Durant needs Josh Okogie properly following Suns-Hornets commerce for Nick Richards
Whereas the Suns acquired Nick Richards from the Hornets together with a second-round decide, the workforce parted methods with Josh Okogie and three second-round picks.
Though Okogie solely performed 14.0 minutes per sport this season, his laborious work and his tenacity made him a participant who was revered not solely by followers but additionally by Kevin Durant.
Following Wednesday’s commerce, Durant spoke with Duane Rankin concerning the impression Okogie’s exit could have on the workforce and wished him properly in Charlotte.
“I actually appreciated how Josh approached the sport and his love for his teammates,” Durant stated. I want him the very best. I’m certain we’ll cross paths once more. He’s an ideal teammate, however I’m wanting ahead to having Nick on the workforce.”
The large query following the Suns’ commerce for Richards is whether or not the transfer would be the just one Phoenix makes earlier than the commerce deadline. Though the acquisition of Richards is predicted to bolster the workforce’s frontcourt, the consensus is that the Suns want at the very least another piece.
Regardless of the three-headed monster of Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal, with the Western Convention as aggressive as ever, it might take greater than added frontcourt depth to make Phoenix a reliable postseason menace.
Edited by Victor Ramon Galvez