Blockbuster Trade Idea Has Suns Land $53M Forward For Playoff Push
January 12, 2025
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The NBA trade deadline is less than a month away. Many teams, whether legitimate contenders or on the fringe of contending, will look to bolster their rosters.
More news: Massive Blockbuster Trade Idea Sees Warriors Land $215 Million All-Star Guard
This next month will be a vital and exciting time in the NBA.
One of the few teams looking to improve their roster is the Phoenix Suns. Their record isn’t where they want it to be, but this trade proposal could put them in the mix for a playoff spot in the loaded Western Conference.
This trade proposal sees the Suns bolster their frontcourt as they look to make a playoff push in the coming months. This trade idea sees the Suns add Charlotte Hornets center Nick Richards and forward Grant Williams.
Tyus Jones #21 of the Phoenix Suns attempts a lay up against Nick Richards #4 of the Charlotte Hornets during the first half of the game at Spectrum Center on January 07, 2025 in Charlotte,… Tyus Jones #21 of the Phoenix Suns attempts a lay up against Nick Richards #4 of the Charlotte Hornets during the first half of the game at Spectrum Center on January 07, 2025 in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images
Suns receive: Grant Williams and Nick Richards
Hornets receive: Jusuf Nurkic, a 2026 second-round draft pick, and a 2031 second-round draft pick
Williams is out for the season due to a torn ACL. While he won’t play for the remainder of the season, he is under contract for the next two seasons and could be used as a trade piece in the future.
Given the disparity between the two players’ salaries, the Hornets would have to send out at least one more player (earning at least $5.63 million) to make a trade legal. Williams’ contract suits the bill in this scenario.
As for Richards, the Suns get a massive upgrade at their center spot. Richards is a younger, more versatile center whose contract is also far more team-friendly than Nurkic’s.
The Hornets’ big man is owed $5 million this season and another $5 million in the 2025-26 season. For the season, Richards is having his best one to date, averaging 9.2 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks in 21.2 minutes per game through 20 games this season.
This puts Richards as a possible contender and makes the Suns a much more viable team.
Nurkic has fallen out of the rotation in Phoenix. He has started for most of the season, but as of late, he has come off the bench and was a DNP-CD in Thursday’s and Saturday’s games.
Nurkic has been on the trading block for the past few weeks, and it’s a matter of ‘when’ not ‘if’ he will be traded.
The Suns have spiraled for the last month, but they have played great recently, winning three of their last four games and holding an 18-19 record.
The Suns are currently the 11th seed in the Western Conference.
More NBA:
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