Lakers already regret letting perfect trade goals go to a rival

Los Angeles Lakers has had plenty of time and the opportunity to find the inner complement that Anthony Davis has long asked for. It is the hard reality that Lakers’ Front Office is facing, as Davis has requested to spend more time on Power Forward since 2023.

Unfortunately, the perfect player to supplement Davis was overlooked by Lakers and instead acted for the rival Phoenix Suns – and he already makes Los Angeles look bad for his indecision.

Before he arrived in Phoenix, Nick Richards saw that part of an immaculate potential lakers shopping. He owed only $ 10 million between 2024-25 and 2025-26, and Charlotte Hornets lacked some significant leverage in the negotiations because of their well-documented preference for Mark Williams as their starting center.

Unfortunately, it was Suns that acted by acquiring Richards rather than Lakers, and thus the void of the 5-spot is back in Los Angeles.

Richards has hit the Earth, which runs in Phoenix, performs in seven games and starts six. He has justified the investment by producing and acting in the exact way that Lakers would have asked him.

Richards has even shown the capacity for a form of interior dominance that Lakers has not seen from a player other than Davis in a very long time.

Nick Richards showing for Suns, burning lakers in the process

So far in 2024-25, Richards are an average of 9.5 points, 8.4 rebounds, 2.5 offensive boards, 1.2 assists and 1.1 blocks of only 22.0 minutes per day. Match. These are impressive figures considering that they translate to 15.6 points, 13.7 rebounds, 4.1 offensive boards, 1.9 assists and 1.9 blocks per 36 minutes.

Since arriving at Phoenix, Richards has proven that hype per. 36 is less speculation and more a valid belief in what he can give at night.

In seven games with Suns Poster Richards brands of 11.4 points, 11.0 rebounds, 2.9 offensive boards and 0.9 blocks of 25.1 minutes per day. Match. It would put him in fifth place in Lakers in the scoring, number two in rebounding and blocks and first on offensive boards.

That alone gives reason to regret, but these are the tops that Richards have managed to reach that should have the lacquer sick to their stomach.

In his first game with Suns, Richards fell 21 points, 11 rebounds and four offensive boards in a win over Detroit Pistons. Two games later he released eight points, 15 rebounds and four offensive boards of just under 22 minutes against Brooklyn Nets.

The next game he spoke 20 points, 19 rebounds and a block in a win over Washington Wizards – and put 14 points, 16 rebounds and two blocks against the Golden State Warriors just six days later.

In Los Angeles, this level of production has been exclusive to Davis for several seasons. Expecting someone to go off regularly is unfair, but Richards is a proven item as a rebounder, a plus field protector and a generally positive influence that plays for only $ 5 million per year. Season.

Given that Suns gave up three elections in the second round and even got one back from Hornets in the trade to acquire Richards, Lakers can officially say they made a massive mistake.