The Suns acquired Richards and a 2025 second-round draft pick from the Hornets on Wednesday in exchange for forward Josh Okogie, a 2026 second-round draft picks and two 2031 second-round draft picks, Shams Charania of ESPN reports.
With Mark Williams healthy and playing well, Richards had been relegated to a backup role over the last month for Charlotte, but he'll now likely get an opportunity to start in Phoenix. Jusuf Nurkic (illness) has fallen out of favor, resulting in Mason Plumlee starting nine straight games. Richards had played at least 24 minutes 10 times this season, averaging 12.8 points, 10.7 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.9 blocks in 28.1 minutes per game while shooting 62.9 percent from the field and 71.4 percent from the free-throw line during those contests. Richards' first chance to make his Suns debut will come in Washington on Thursday.
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Suns' Nick Richards: Out Thursday, should play Saturday
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Richards (recently traded) has yet to join his teammates for Thursday's game versus the Wizards but will most likely be with them for Saturday's contest against the Pistons, Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic reports.
Richards was traded from the Hornets to the Suns on Wednesday but will have to wait until at least Saturday to make his Phoenix debut. Jusuf Nurkic is currently dealing with an illness, but Richards will likely start at center for Phoenix regardless, as Nurkic had come off the bench in his previous two appearances behind Mason Plumlee.
Hornets' Nick Richards: Shines off bench with double-double
Rotowire
Richards produced 15 points (4-6 FG, 7-8 FT), 12 rebounds and three blocks over 25 minutes during Tuesday's 115-104 win over Phoenix.
Richards made his mark off the bench in Tuesday's winning effort, leading all Hornets players in rebounds while concluding as one of three players with 15 or more points in a double-double showing. Richards, who also hauled in a team-leading trio of blocks, has recorded a double-double in five contests this season.
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Hornets' Nick Richards: Reaches double figures off bench
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Richards recorded 10 points (4-7 FG, 2-3 FT), four rebounds, five assists and two blocks across 17 minutes during Friday's 98-94 loss to Detroit.
Richards led the way for Charlotte's second unit Friday, pacing the bench in scoring while notching team-high-tying totals in assists and blocks in a losing effort. Richards set a new season high in assists, and he has reached double figures in scoring in eight outings this year.
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Hornets' Nick Richards: Muted impact off bench
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Richards contributed six points (2-5 FG, 2-3 FT), five rebounds and one assist in 16 minutes during Thursday's 113-110 loss to Washington.
With Mark Williams back in the starting lineup, Richards has received a reduced role as Charlotte's backup center. Across Richards' six appearances coming off the bench, he is averaging 8.8 points and 5.3 rebounds in 17.0 minutes.
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Hornets' Nick Richards: Back in starting lineup Friday
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Richards is in the Hornets' starting lineup against the 76ers on Friday.
After coming off the bench in the Hornets' last three games, Richards will move into the starting lineup Friday due to Mark Williams being sidelined with a left foot injury. Across eight starts this season, Richards has averaged 11.5 points, 10.8 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.8 blocks over 26.9 minutes per game.
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Hornets' Nick Richards: Big night off bench
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Richards accumulated 19 points (7-9 FG, 5-6 FT), five rebounds, one block and one steal in 15 minutes off the bench during Monday's 121-108 loss to Philadelphia.
It was an incredibly efficient performance from Richards, who out-produced starting center Mark Williams (seven points, three boards, three assists and three blocks) in two fewer minutes of court time. Richards has bounced in and out of the starting five since returning from a rib fracture in late November, averaging 11.7 points, 8.7 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 1.0 blocks in 22.5 minutes a contest over his last six appearances (three starts), but with Moussa Diabate also in the mix at center for the Hornets, it's tough to rely on any of them from a fantasy perspective.
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Hornets' Nick Richards: Heading back to bench Friday
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Richards is not in the starting unit for Friday's game against the Bulls.
Richards started in the 113-109 win over the Pacers on Sunday and finished with nine points and 14 rebounds across 25 minutes. However, expect him to see a considerable reduction in his playing time since Mark Williams got the start at center for this matchup. Richards is averaging 11.6 points and 10.2 rebounds per game this season, but those numbers are likely to regress if he comes off the bench.
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Hornets' Nick Richards: Posts strong effort on boards
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Richards closed Sunday's 113-109 win over the Pacers with nine points (3-5 FG, 3-4 FT), 14 rebounds and one assist over 25 minutes.
Richards grabbed a team-high 14 rebounds and fell one point shy of his second double-double of the month. He's looked sharp for the most part since returning from a right ankle sprain, scoring in double figures in three of four appearances while also totaling five blocks and two steals over this brief stretch.
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Hornets' Nick Richards: Good to go Sunday
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Richards (ankle) is listed as available for Sunday's game against the Pacers.
Richards was held out of the first leg of the club's back-to-back set during Saturday's loss to the Cavaliers due to a right ankle sprain. However, the big man will return to the starting lineup Sunday, while Mark Williams (foot) and Moussa Diabate (illness) both sidelined. Over his last three outings, Richards has averaged 13.3 points, 9.3 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.7 blocks across 26.3 minutes per game.
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Hornets' Nick Richards: Iffy for Sunday
Rotowire
Richards (ankle) is questionable for Sunday's game against the Pacers.
Richards took a seat for the first half of Charlotte's back-to-back set, allowing Taj Gibson to draw a start as Mark Williams continues to operate off the bench since making his season debut. Over his last three appearances, Richards has averaged 13.3 points, 9.3 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.7 blocks in 26.3 minutes per game.
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Hornets' Nick Richards: Won't go Saturday
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Richards (ankle) has been ruled out for Saturday's game against the Cavaliers.
Richards suffered a right ankle sprain during Thursday's matchup with the Knicks, and it'll cost him at least one game. Moussa Diabate (illness) has also been downgraded to out, so it'll be Mark Williams and Taj Gibson who eat up minutes at center Saturday afternoon.
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Hornets' Nick Richards: Dealing with right ankle sprain
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Richards (ankle) is listed as questionable for Saturday's game against the Cavaliers, Roderick Boone of The Charlotte Observer reports.
Richards rolled his ankle when he stepped on Cody Martin's foot in the third quarter of Thursday night's game against the Knicks, though Richards was able to stay in the game. If Richards is unable to play Saturday, then Moussa Diabate would be in line to see more minutes off the bench as the backup center behind Mark Williams.
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Hornets' Nick Richards: Impresses in return as starter
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Richards chipped in 22 points (6-9 FG, 10-13 FT), 14 rebounds, two assists, one block and one steal in 30 minutes during Tuesday's 110-104 loss to the 76ers.
Richards made his return to the starting lineup Tuesday after coming off the bench in Charlotte's previous game. He led all players rebounds while ending second on the team in scoring in a double-double performance. Richards matched his season high in rebounds while posting his second outing with at least 20 points. Richards has now recorded a double-double in four of his seven appearances this season.
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Hornets' Nick Richards: Back in starting five Tuesday
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Richards will enter the starting lineup in Tuesday's game against the 76ers, Roderick Boone of The Charlotte Observer reports.
After coming off the bench in Saturday's loss to Atlanta during his return from a 14-game absence due to a right rib fracture, Richards will return to the starting five Tuesday. The big man will likely split minutes with Moussa Diabate and Mark Williams, who will remain limited off the bench in his return from a foot injury. During his return Saturday, Richards posted 12 points (3-5 FG, 6-7 FT), six rebounds, three blocks, one assist and one steal across 25 minutes.
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Hornets' Nick Richards: Produces off bench in return
Rotowire
Richards (rib) supplied 12 points (3-5 FG, 6-7 FT), six rebounds, three blocks, one assist and one steal across 25 minutes in Saturday's 107-104 loss to the Hawks.
Though he ended up coming off the bench in his return from a 14-game absence due to a right rib fracture, Richards saw more playing time than starting center Moussa Diabate (22 minutes). The Hornets will likely prioritize Richards ahead of Diabate and could even move Richards back into the starting lineup beginning with Tuesday's game against the 76ers, but Mark Williams (foot) may not be far behind Richards in returning from a multi-week absence. Once Williams is back to full health, Richards might have a tough time consistently finding anything more than a 20-to-25-minute role.
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Hornets' Nick Richards: Available to play Saturday
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Richards (ribs) is available for Saturday's game against the Hawks, Roderick Boone of The Charlotte Observer reports.
Richards missed the first leg of the back-to-back set, a 99-98 loss to the Knicks, but the big man will return here to add some much-needed depth in the frontcourt. Richards will play for the first time since Nov. 1, meaning he'll return from a 14-game absence.
