If there is one player, the Front Office of the Phoenix Suns would now exchange for something of value if she could, it’s Nick Richards Center. We already know that they were already trying to send him out of season this season, because his name was raised several times when the franchise tried in vain to pry Jonathan Kuminga from the Golden State Warriors.
It might be unfair to put Richards at the top of this list – Grayson Allen was also mentioned in that deal that never happened – but that was before general director Brian Gregory came out on Media Day and went over the 3 -point sniper. Royce O’Neale is another to look at, but just like all, his 3-point shooting serves a goal and makes a trade candidate at the deadline.
Uncertainty on Mark Williams should mean that Richards lingers.
The Suns are in their training camp for a few days before they go to Macau as part of the preseason, and the absence of 23-year-old Big Mark Williams of the court became a concern. To be not worried according to head coach Jordan Ott, who gave a completely optimistic update about exactly where the former Charlotte Hornet is now.
The last injury update about Mark Williams van #Suns Training camp today was interesting, but if you dig a little deeper about the formulation of Jordan Ott for his absence, was it also concerning … thoughts? (✍️ @Lucalockheart))https://t.co/odk4f5RCA5
– Valley of the Suns (@Valleyofthesuns) September 27, 2025
Something about the fact that he is currently doing some stretching and power work, while his teammates all come together on the field for the first time – when he probably has no injury – it just doesn’t feel good. That is why Richards – himself a teammate from Williams in Charlotte to start last season – must be kept in the valley for the time being.
A lot was made about Rookie Khaman Maluach, and he came across extremely well on Media Day. But there will be a lot of bumps in the way for him if he tries to leave his mark in this competition, and that will probably contain a stint in the G -competition at some point. If you managed to catch him in Summer League, then you know that he is attacking that he currently has no competition at all.
That is why it is unfair to expect that he comes up and immediately take on the starting role of Williams when he is injured, even if this is a reconstruction team. That could decrease his self -confidence if he is destroyed in an early matchup against people like an Ivica Zubac, and slowly taking him with him was exactly why she traded in the first place for Williams.
Then there is OSO Iighodaro – who despite the fact that I am part of the future here – is not a center in the traditional sense. He works better as a four that can alternate between defending Bigs from all kinds, but that cannot protect the paint at an elite level, while he is not entirely the lob threat of Williams.
All this means, the suns have to keep Nick Richards for the time being. It can best be used as a back -up center, but even that is better than a Crocked Williams if he doesn’t play at all. Last season he succeeded 43 games – the most in his three seasons as a professional – and is eligible for expansion that further complicates things. Not a nice situation, but an ideal for Richards.
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