Phoenix Suns center Nick Richards detailed the "shock" from playing against the Suns to then becoming a member of the Suns three days later.

The Suns traded Josh Okogie and three future second-round picks Wednesday for Richards and a second-round selection. Wearing No. 2, Richards joined the Suns (20-20) Friday in Detroit and was ready to make his debut Saturday against the Pistons (21-20) at Little Caesars Arena.

Nick Richards explained after Wednesday's win how excited he is to play his first game in front of the Suns' fanbase.

Bradley Beal and Nurkic were benched for the Jan. 6 game at Philadelphia. Nurkic played that game and the next against Charlotte in the second of a road back-to-back, but Suns coach Mike Budenholzer didn't play him the next two games against Atlanta and Utah.

Phoenix saw major contributions from the megastar duo of Kevin Durant and Devin Booker - as the pair combined to score 71 points. The ultimate difference between a win and a loss very well could've been thanks to a phenomenal debut from recently acquired C Nick Richards.

The Phoenix Suns' center rotation was in a dire state recently. Phoenix hopes trading for Nick Richards from the Charlotte Hornets will help ease their concerns.

Richards ended with eight points (3-4 FG, 2-2 FT) and 15 rebounds across 22 minutes during Wednesday's 108-84 victory over the Nets. Richards had one of his best games with the Suns on Wednesday since being traded to Phoenix.

Richards - coupled with rookie stud Oso Ighodaro - will inject a very pointed surge of athleticism into the Suns' lineup. Last season Nick Richards had more dunks (120) than Nurkic and Plumlee combined (100) in 1000 fewer minutes.

The Suns have acquired Nick Richards ahead of the NBA trade deadline, leading to rumors about Jusuf Nurkic's future.

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.Source:

Suns center Nick Richards scored 21 points off the bench in his on-court debut as Phoenix picked up a 125-121 win over the Detroit Pistons on Saturday.

The Phoenix Suns acquired Charlotte Hornets center Nick Richards and a 2025 NBA draft second-round pick on Wednesday in exchange for wing player Josh Okogie and three future second-round NBA draft selections. Richards is averaging 8.9 points per game and 7.5 rebounds per game this season, in 21 minutes of action per game.