The Suns have prioritized this move, but how many viable options do they truly have?
The Phoenix Suns’ center position has been a hot topic among fans this season, with Jusuf Nurkic at the heart of the discussion. Nurkic has faced multiple injuries this year, limiting his availability. His performance in the Suns’ rotation has been underwhelming, leading to his relegation to a bench role. Following that demotion, Nurkic suffered another blow: he was completely removed from the Suns’ lineup. He hasn’t played in the last three games, during which the Suns have gone 3-0. This highlights an ongoing issue—an unstable frontcourt with Nurkic as a contributing factor.
This situation has prompted the Suns to explore trade options for a center ahead of the February 6 deadline. However, their limited trade assets and Nurkic’s contract, considered a negative asset across the league, pose challenges. Despite these hurdles, recent reports suggest a deal might be in the works.
Suns Pursuing Centers In recent days, the Suns have been linked to two potential center targets. Reports indicate that Phoenix and the Charlotte Hornets have discussed a possible trade for Nick Richards. Richards has been impactful for the Hornets and has performed well against the Suns in recent matchups.
Another name has also surfaced, as John Gambadoro reported the Suns’ interest in Portland Trail Blazers center Duop Reath. “This is the ideal guy the Suns should be targeting, and it could not make me happier,” said one commentator. The Trail Blazers have a surplus of centers, with Reath positioned at the bottom of their rotation. Additionally, Reath’s contract ($2 million) is more affordable than Richards’ ($5 million). Although Reath was a 27-year-old rookie last season, he proved to be a reliable backup for Portland. A potential trade involving Bol Bol, whose contract is similarly sized, could offer both players increased playing time.
Final Thoughts
Ultimately, pursuing Reath seems like the best move for the Suns. It would require minimal assets to acquire a player who could fill a crucial need. Furthermore, Reath’s inexpensive deal would allow the Suns flexibility to pursue additional center options. The key question remains: Are the Suns willing to trade for another center from Portland, given how the last one
worked out?
