3 Potential Nick Richards trades

[JMAC3]

Sacramento
Potential trade 1: Keon Ellis, Alex Len and 2027 Kings 2nd for Nick Richards

Potential trade 2:Kevin Huerter, 2029 top 10 protected first for Nick Richards, Josh Green and Pelicans 2025 2nd (currently 33).

Lakers
Potential trade: Jared Vanderbilt, Hayes and 2029 top 10 protected first for Nick Richards, Vasa Micic and Pelicans 2025 2nd (currently 33).

[Texas Chuck]

I have Ellis worth as much or more still. Just harder to find defensive wings than backup centers. Wouldn't give a first for Green/Richards/good 2nd. Don't see either of those players changing the Kings fortunes. Same thing with the Lakers ones.

Now any old expiring and a 2nd or two for Richards? Sure.

[Ball4life32]

Richards is not worth a protected 1st.

[JMAC3]

I have Ellis worth as much or more still. Just harder to find defensive wings than backup centers. Wouldn't give a first for Green/Richards/good 2nd. Don't see either of those players changing the Kings fortunes. Same thing with the Lakers ones.

Now any old expiring and a 2nd or two for Richards? Sure.

The Kings are on the verge of blowing this thing up. I think they might be willing to slightly overpay for players that fit their needs and timeline.

Richards is a massive upgrade for them that gives them real size. Josh Green gives them a more physical defender that can shoot. The Pelicans pick would hopefully give them another rotation piece for a team that really lacks depth in the short-term.

Maybe they don't do it but this Kings team feels like they are more than 1 piece away. Is Huerter a positive contract? The pick being top 10 protected limits the value IMO.

[JMAC3]

Richards is not worth a protected 1st.

I don't think so either, which is why they are also getting a top tier 2nd round pick in this upcoming draft.

Richards is 27, Josh Green is 24 and under contract for next year.

I do think the Kings could bargain hunt and find bare minimum upgrades on expirings for cheaper, but those players are probably older too + aren't also accompanied by a strong 2nd rounder.

[JMAC3]

Lakers
Potential trade: Jared Vanderbilt, Hayes and 2029 top 10 protected first for Nick Richards, Vasa Micic and Pelicans 2025 2nd (currently 33).

Take Richards, Vasa out of the deal for a second. Ask yourself this.

If Lakers had pick 20 this year would dumping Vanderbilt contract be worth dropping to pick 33?

I would say easily yes.

[jbk1234]

Is Richards better than Thor?

[JMAC3]

Is Richards better than Thor?

Is Richards better than a guy that has 25 DNPs this year? Cmon man.

[jbk1234]

Is Richards better than Thor?

Is Richards better than a guy that has 25 DNPs this year? Cmon man.

I mean Thor played all the time on the Hornets. He's getting DNP'd on another team now (and there are Cavs fans who think he should be getting run in certain matchups). Neither player would've received as much run on the Hornets if Mark Williams wasn't made of glass.

I'm legitimately asking BTW. I wouldn't mind the Cavs offering a few seconds for Boucher or Richards so long as they don't end up glued to bench behind Niang.

[JMAC3]

Richards in 74 career starts averages 27 mpg, 10 ppg and 9 rpg and over a block per game.

He can have a Gafford like impact on a good team as a part time center.

[Scoot McGroot]

Lakers
Potential trade: Jared Vanderbilt, Hayes and 2029 top 10 protected first for Nick Richards, Vasa Micic and Pelicans 2025 2nd (currently 33).

Take Richards, Vasa out of the deal for a second. Ask yourself this.

If Lakers had pick 20 this year would dumping Vanderbilt contract be worth dropping to pick 33?

I would say easily yes.

I would disagree. They only have 2 1sts they can deal at all right now. Absolutely no way they can tie up one of them to “dump” Vanderbilt, or to acquire Richards.

[SlimShady83]

If Richards is worth 1 from even in package deal then Kessler is worth 2 FRPs.. Id like Richards but not cost of a first he worth 2 maybe 3 srps, was something a while back about Hornets only asking 2 srps, I'll find the link when home

[jbk1234]

If Richards is worth 1 from even in package deal then Kessler is worth 2 FRPs.. Id like Richards but not cost of a first he worth 2 maybe 3 srps, was something a while back about Hornets only asking 2 srps, I'll find the link when home

The problem the Lakers have is that they just used their only expiring contract to get DFS. Maybe that makes a guy like Rui expendable, but I don't see trade partners taking back Vando or Vincent for free.

[MasterIchiro]

Kings could use the rim protection.

How about Huerter + 2026 2nd + 2027 2nd for Nick Richards & Cody Martin?

This way when Tre Mann returns Huerter can shoulder some of the load on offense for the bench.

[GoBobs]

I would rather just keep him right now. We need to start winning next year and it will be hard to find a better option for a similar price. We can always trade him next year if we don’t need him.

[JMAC3]

Lakers
Potential trade: Jared Vanderbilt, Hayes and 2029 top 10 protected first for Nick Richards, Vasa Micic and Pelicans 2025 2nd (currently 33).

Take Richards, Vasa out of the deal for a second. Ask yourself this.

If Lakers had pick 20 this year would dumping Vanderbilt contract be worth dropping to pick 33?

I would say easily yes.

I would disagree. They only have 2 1sts they can deal at all right now. Absolutely no way they can tie up one of them to “dump” Vanderbilt, or to acquire Richards.

If the Lakers had no first round picks at all to deal should we start overvaluing their 2nd round picks too since they have limited assets? Whether they have 2 first or 7 firsts doesn't change the value of the pick in a trade.

Sure Lakers could pass on the deal, but they also are the ones who are pushing for the trade, so they don't have the leverage.

[Scoot McGroot]

Take Richards, Vasa out of the deal for a second. Ask yourself this.

If Lakers had pick 20 this year would dumping Vanderbilt contract be worth dropping to pick 33?

I would say easily yes.

I would disagree. They only have 2 1sts they can deal at all right now. Absolutely no way they can tie up one of them to “dump” Vanderbilt, or to acquire Richards.

If the Lakers had no first round picks at all to deal should we start overvaluing their 2nd round picks too since they have limited assets? Whether they have 2 first or 7 firsts doesn't change the value of the pick in a trade.

Sure Lakers could pass on the deal, but they also are the ones who are pushing for the trade, so they don't have the leverage.

It's not a matter of overvaluing or undervaluing the picks. It's that it comes close to tapping them out. The opportunity cost is very limiting right now. There's no "do this and then just adjust elsewhere". This is the last of the "elsewhere".

Plus, I think if LA is willing to include a 1st, even if protected, and it's attached to Vanderbilt, teams won't worry too much about Vanderbilt's contract as the filler? At least, for any player a 1st and Vanderbilt would be in conversation for, it wouldn't be an issue.

[JMAC3]

I would disagree. They only have 2 1sts they can deal at all right now. Absolutely no way they can tie up one of them to “dump” Vanderbilt, or to acquire Richards.

If the Lakers had no first round picks at all to deal should we start overvaluing their 2nd round picks too since they have limited assets? Whether they have 2 first or 7 firsts doesn't change the value of the pick in a trade.

Sure Lakers could pass on the deal, but they also are the ones who are pushing for the trade, so they don't have the leverage.

It's not a matter of overvaluing or undervaluing the picks. It's that it comes close to tapping them out. The opportunity cost is very limiting right now. There's no "do this and then just adjust elsewhere". This is the last of the "elsewhere".

Plus, I think if LA is willing to include a 1st, even if protected, and it's attached to Vanderbilt, teams won't worry too much about Vanderbilt's contract as the filler? At least, for any player a 1st and Vanderbilt would be in conversation for, it wouldn't be an issue.

Right so any deal that sends Vanderbilt back as matching salary is going to require the Lakers to move a first round pick. Nobody is taking Vanderbilt and 2 2nds for any player worth anything, especially not two picks projected outside the top 50 in this draft.

[MasterIchiro]

How about Richards & Micić for Vanderbilt & Hayes?

No picks either way.

[MasterIchiro]

Why would it cost a 1st to move Vanderbilt? Is he finished, or just out for the year?