Trade - Richards to Suns per Shams

[fatlever]

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The Charlotte Hornets are trading 7-foot center Nick Richards and one second-round pick to the Phoenix Suns for Josh Okogie and three second-round picks, sources tell ESPN.

[Braggins]

I really hope they didn't trade one of their early 2nds from the 2025 draft. Those are so much more valuable than mid to late 2nds, which barely have any value at all.

[fatlever]

The three picks are a 2026 Nuggets 2nd, a 2031 Nuggets 2nd, and the Suns 2nd.

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[HornetJail]

thank god something finally happened. Thank you Mark Williams, for making the Suns realize that Mason Plumlee is not an answer against an NBA center.

Now hopefully the Moose is loose again.

[Braggins]

I'm fine with it as long as they didn't give up their own 2025 2nd or the 2025 New Orleans 2nd, which are currently #32/#33. If they gave up either one of those then I honestly don't like it.

I think they legit like Diabate as their backup more than Richards, so at that point Okogie probably fits better as a wing who can defend than a 3rd string center.

[EmpireFalls]

Jeff Peterson’s first good move.

[fatlever]

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part 2... trade green or cody? makes sense

[fatlever]

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The Charlotte Hornets draft capital (after the Nick Richard’s deal)
- 2025 1st Round Pick (own)
- 2025 2nd Round Pick (via Philadelphia, unprotected)
- 2025 2nd Round Pick (via New Orleans, unprotected)
- 2026 1st Round Pick (own)
- 2026 2nd Round Pick (own)
- 2026 2nd Round Pick (via Denver)
- 2027 1st Round Pick (own)
- 2027 1st Round Pick (via Miami, lottery protected)
- 2027 1st Round Pick (via Dallas, top two protected)
- 2027 2nd Round Pick (own)
- 2027 2nd Round Pick (best of Portland/New Orleans)
- 2028 1st Round Pick (own)
- 2028 2nd Round Pick (own)
- 2028 2nd Round Pick (best of Charlotte/Los Angeles C)
- 2028 2nd Round Pick (via Phoenix)
- 2029 1st Round Pick (own)
- 2029 2nd Round Pick (own)
- 2030 1st Round Pick (own)
- 2030 2nd Round Pick (own)
- 2030 2nd Round Pick (via Denver)
- 2031 1st Round Pick (own)
- 2031 2nd Round Pick (own)
- 2031 2nd Round Pick (via Phoenix)

[fatlever]

I really hope they didn't trade one of their early 2nds from the 2025 draft. Those are so much more valuable than mid to late 2nds, which barely have any value at all.

To Phoenix

2025 Denver 2nd

[Braggins]

Looks like the pick the Hornets are giving up is the 2025 Den 2nd, which is currently #54, so the picks exchanged are definitely good for the Hornets. They converted a late 2nd this year that they probably didn't even want to keep (already have two early 2nds in 2025) into three future 2nds. The future 2nds will replace the two that they will lose when the 1st round pick owed to SA conveys as two future 2nds after this season.

[Braggins]

Cody is a better player than Green and is on a better contract, but he is older and potentially not as healthy. I still like Martin better because hes better at literally everything besides hitting open corner 3s. I would rather them trade Green.

As of now, I see this as probably being their main rotation once Mann returns

LaMelo ~ Green ~ Miller ~ Miles ~ Mark
Mann ~ Martin ~ Okogie ~ Salaun ~ Diabate

[JMAC3]

I don’t have high hopes for Okogie, but maybe he sticks. He is a hesitant shooter who specializes in defense and another unguaranteed contract next year.

He was the only contract on Phoenix that legally worked in 1:1 deal with Richards so hard to say if Hornets are fans or if it was just taking him because they had to.

[JMAC3]

Now we pray Mark stays healthy or it’s Moussa/Taj to finish the year out.

[JustBuzzin]

Don't get this trade at all.

At least we get more Diabate tho.

[Hornet Mania]

Solid move. I wanted to give Diabate more time over Nick anyway. I also like how this sets us up to unload either Martin or Green. We're going to be sellers at the deadline, no surprise, and this is a good start.

[Benjamin Linus]

Diabate is a fine 3rd stringer, but finding a legit backup center this offseason should be a top priority. I'm assuming this Okogie guy comes off the books, so that frees up what an extra 5 mil or so, so there's that at least

[yosemiteben]

Now we pray Mark stays healthy or it’s Moussa/Taj to finish the year out.

Yeah, pretty much shows they're ok tanking. Back to no center depth again.

[MPM]

Why? Seems like a trade to make a trade. It’s basically surrendering our front court depth for two (more) seconds. Agree that tanking seems to be the correct answer.

Sure it will be nice to see more Moose but this feels like a trade without a reason.

[yosemiteben]

I think it shows that they don't see Nick as a long term price + aren't worried about hurting depth this season + wanted to build assets and bet on DEN's future being worse than their 2026 (probably a good bet). Interesting strategic move.

This also increases available exciting salary to be included in a deal, though not by much.

[HornetJail]

I can't begin to imagine why we wouldn't be happy about this. We traded our 3rd best C for two 2nds (and a 2nd round swap from this year to next), and likely got a defensive upgrade on our current wings (not that I really expect anything from Okogie either ... but still)

We weren't going to get anything better than this out of Nick. It's Moose season