The Phoenix Suns acquired Nick Richards on Jan. 15, hoping to strengthen their struggling roster. While they explored potential trades involving Kevin Durant to reset their team, financial constraints left them with Richards as their best possible addition.
Since his arrival, the Suns have gone 6-8, losing three straight and six of their last seven. The team’s struggles persist, and despite ongoing Durant trade rumors, their biggest in-season addition wasn’t even a starter for the Hornets. Phoenix’s roster was always flawed, and it’s proving insufficient for a championship run.
One key factor the Suns overlooked was why Charlotte never fully committed to Richards. Now, they’re quickly learning the same lesson, as his playing time steadily declines.
Suns Perform Worse With Nick Richards on the Floor—Just Like the Hornets Did
In 14 games with Phoenix, the team’s offensive rating with Richards on the court is 115.2—barely below their 115.3 rating when he’s on the bench. The real problem is on defense, where they allow 121.2 points per 100 possessions with him compared to 116.2 without him. The Suns have a net rating of -6.0 when he plays, compared to -0.9 when he sits.
Charlotte experienced the same issues. The Hornets were -9.3 with Richards and -4.9 without him earlier this season. Last year, they were 3.1 points per 100 possessions better when he wasn’t on the floor.
Although he contributes with rebounds and blocks, his impact on winning remains minimal. At 27, he has yet to play in the postseason and averaged just 17.7 minutes per game in over four seasons with the Hornets. The Suns overestimated how much of a difference he could make.
Despite starting 13 games for Phoenix, he’s averaging just 23.6 minutes per game. In the last six games, he has played fewer than 20 minutes twice, with his average dropping to 21.4.
Head coach Mike Budenholzer has already recognized that the Suns perform better when Richards is on the bench. While Phoenix lacks reliable options at center, it’s clear that Richards isn’t the answer for a team with championship aspirations.
What’s Next for the Suns?
The Suns face an uncertain offseason. Kevin Durant’s future is in question, and the team must find a way to build around Devin Booker. Bradley Beal’s contract and their center situation remain concerns. Nick Richards isn’t their long-term solution at the five, making it likely Phoenix will pursue upgrades this summer. Expect them to be a major storyline as they look to retool and stay in the championship conversation.
