Suns trade Josh Okogie, acquire Nick Richards in deal with Hornets
Nick Richards #4 of the Charlotte Hornets and Josh Okogie #2 of the Phoenix Suns during the game at Footprint Center on January 24, 2023, in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns beat the Hornets 128-97. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images)
PHOENIX - The NBA trade deadline is fast approaching and the Phoenix Suns have made a move in hopes of helping to turn their season around.
What we know:
The Suns announced on Jan. 15 that they acquired center Nick Richards from the Charlotte Hornets. In return, the Suns sent Josh Okogie to Charlotte, along with three future second-round picks.
Phoenix received a future second-round pick from the Hornets in the deal.
The Suns have struggled this season, posting a sub-.500 record and are currently in 11th place in the Western Conference.
On Tuesday night, Phoenix had their three-game winning streak snapped in a loss to the Atlanta Hawks.
By the numbers:
Richards is averaging 8.9 points, 7.5 rebounds and 1.2 blocks in 21 games. He's recorded five double-doubles in 21 games.
Okogie has averaged 6.3 points, 3 rebounds and just over one assist over his seven seasons in the NBA.
The backstory:
Richards is in his fifth NBA season and was selected with the 42nd overall pick in the 2020 draft.
Okogie was selected in the first round of the 2018 draft by the Minnesota Timberwolves. He joined the Suns in the 2022-23 season.
What they're saying:
The Hornets are 8-28 and looking to build toward the future.
"It does give us a ton of flexibility and some optionality where we can use those picks in a trade in the future," Hornets GM Jeff Peterson said of the draft picks, via the Associated Press.