Suns are interested in Nick Richards, but no Jusuf Nurkic deal is imminent

As the Feb. 6 trade deadline approaches, Phoenix Suns trade rumors are running rampant. Jimmy Butler is at the forefront of those rumblings, but Charlotte Hornets backup big man Nick Richards — a frequently mentioned hypothetical trade target for the Suns over the last two seasons here — has come up recently as well.

According to a source who spoke with PHNX Sports, the Suns do like Nick Richards and are seeing what they can do in order to trade for the 27-year-old big man. His potential fit in Phoenix makes sense for a team that badly needs to upgrade its center rotation with more size, athleticism, rim-running and finishing ability around the basket.

It felt like things were coming to a potential head on Sunday, when Jusuf Nurkic was added to the injury report in Phoenix’s matchup with the Hornets, sitting out due to “illness.” This came off back-to-back games where Nurk was a DNP-CD behind Mason Plumlee and Oso Ighodaro, and the Bosnian Beast apparently unfollowed Devin Booker and Kevin Durant on Instagram.

However, the timing there may just be coincidental. According to a source, Nurkic is sick with the flu, and it doesn’t sound like a Nick Richards trade is imminent, despite Nurkic’s absence for Sunday night as Phoenix and Charlotte square off for the second time this week.

Mike Budenholzer confirmed Nurkic had come in Sunday morning not feeling well and tested positive for the flu. He may be held back from the first portion of Phoenix’s upcoming five-game road trip as a result.

“I don’t think that’s been determined, but I think with the positive test and being contagious, my guess is he will not start with us and then hopefully join us some point early in the trip,” Budenholzer said.

Nick Richards rumblings gaining steam

Sunday morning, The Stein Line’s Marc Stein reported that “Phoenix wants Butler and Butler wants Phoenix,” but there are several obstacles to getting a deal across the finish line. We’ve brought these inconvenient hurdles up many times while exploring potential three-team trades involving Bradley Beal, who still has a no-trade clause.

But Stein also brought up Nick Richards, connecting him to the Suns while discussing the team’s limited draft assets:

“The Suns have three tradable second-round picks (in addition to a 2031 first-rounder) to try to convince a team like Charlotte to take on Nurkic’s contract for a package headlined by in-demand Hornets big man Nick Richards…but how many of those three picks would it cost them?”

Arizona Sports’ John Gambadoro also confirmed on Sunday that the Suns like Richards, who is on a $5 million salary this season, is extension-eligible over the summer, and is on a fully non-guaranteed $5 million salary for next season.

The 7-footer is averaging 9.2 points, 7.7 rebounds and 1.3 blocks in 21.1 minutes per game this season, shooting 56.4 percent from the floor. Although Richards’ efficiency has dipped significantly from last year’s career-high 69.1 percent, he’s looked like a starting-caliber big whenever he’s filled in for the injured Mark Williams over the last two years.

Before Sunday’s game, Hornets coach Charles Lee spoke on Richards’ growth this season:

What would a deal for Nick Richards look like?

In terms of what it’d take to get a deal done, as Stein alluded to, the Suns would likely have to surrender some combination of second-round draft picks to entice Charlotte. Phoenix’s coveted 2031 first-rounder should be off limits in this type of discussion, but 2-3 second-rounders, attached to a player’s salary, sounds right in terms of value.

The player in question might be the trickier part. At this point, it’s pretty clear Phoenix wouldn’t mind getting off Nurkic’s contract. After his first DNP-CD, Nurkic said Budenholzer never communicated with him that he wouldn’t be playing at all that night.

When asked about how he approaches that type of role change, Nurk said flatly, “No comment, man. Just being a pro and staying ready. That’s all.”

However, as much as it feels like this pairing is nearing its end, the Suns are also aware that Nurkic’s value is low right now, and that moving off his salary in the summer — when he’ll be an expiring contract for next season — might be more feasible.

Nurkic’s $18.1 million salary for Richards and Cody Martin ($8.1 million salary) works straight up, as does Nurk for Richards and Grant Williams ($13 million salary). Williams, who is out for the season with an ACL tear, would probably make more sense from Charlotte’s perspective…and would probably cost the Suns less in terms of draft capital.

However, adding Williams obviously does nothing to help Phoenix this season, especially compared to a potentially useful bench wing like Martin, who is averaging 8.2 points, 4.8 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game. Martin is only shooting 30.6 percent from 3 and is a career 31.5 percent shooter from long range, but the Suns could use all the wing help they can get. The question is how many second-rounders it’d take to pry him and Martin away from the Hornets, all while saddling them with Nurkic’s contract.

If Nurk is a nonstarter for Charlotte, Grayson Allen for Richards and Martin works, though Allen’s $15.6 million salary isn’t enough to make the math work for Richards and Williams. But the Suns value Allen, and that might feel like an overpay on their part. The same could probably be said for Royce O’Neale, whose $9.9 million salary would only cover Richards straight up.

The only other alternative would be Josh Okogie and his $8.3 million contract, which works straight up for Nick Richards. Okogie has played well in recent weeks, and although he’s only averaging 6.0 points and 2.9 rebounds in his 14.0 minutes per game, he’s provided Phoenix with a much-needed lift in energy, defensive commitment and surprisingly efficient play on the offensive end.

Okogie’s 49.1 percent shooting from the floor and 38.1 percent shooting from 3 are both career highs, and although those numbers have come on limited attempts, the 26-year-old has worked his way into Mike Budenholzer’s rotation.

With that being said, Okogie doesn’t feel untouchable, and he might be a more attractive piece from Charlotte’s point of view given that he’s still young, is a lockdown defender and is having the most efficient season of his career. Once again, the question is how many second-round picks Phoenix would have to attach to get the job done if they offered a more attractive player/contract like Okogie compared to someone like Nurkic.

The weeks leading up to the trade deadline will answer some of these questions as the Suns explore deals to help get their season back on track, but for now, don’t expect Sunday’s Nurkic-less matchup with Nick Richards and the Hornets to provide those answers just yet.