Here's some info to take into consideration with a possible Nick Richards trade:
Looking at the trade machine, it appears we would
have to take back an additional 11+mil for the Nurk/Richards deal to work.
Meaning the only way to make it happen legally is to also take back Grant WIlliams or Josh Green (about 13 mil each). No other players can make it work outside of Miller who obviously they are not trading.
However, you could replace them with Micic and Mann but it would mean we'd have to cut someone (Lee? Mason?). It would also mean Charlotte is open to it.
- Williams would save us about 100k
- Green would save us around 500k
They both have 3 years left on their deals (including this season).
Both contracts are fully guaranteed.
- Micic & Mann would save us around 500k but give us better future financial flexibility (I don't see Charlotte having interest in this but am just tossing it out there as it's something that works under the 2nd apron rules)
So if we do it, we're basically acquiring Richards, knowing we'll be adding an extra player who will be under contract for an
additional 2 seasons (whereas Nurk is just 1 more year).
My guess here is, they are fighting over which player to give up.
Grant Williams seems like the obvious pick to throw in, but keep the following in mind:
While Williams is the better player, we maybe only get 1.5 years out of him, where Green we could get the full 2.5. But I'm not sure he's that good.
Tough situation.
I think the Suns are haggling over giving up picks. Basically saying, "Sure we get the best player in the deal, but we're taking back an extra year of a bad contract".
I think the Suns are trying to keep it to one 2nd rounder while Charlotte wants more.
If this deal goes down, I expect it to take until the deadline while the Hornets wait for better offers.
sarr is also a 7 fter with incredible versatility, shotblocking and 3 pt shooting around 37%. And Muscala being a physical 6'11 3 point shooting 4/5.