The Suns trade for Nick Richards is a sign that they are still going for it

The Phoenix Suns have acquired center Nick Richards from Charlotte, as well as a second-round pick for Josh Okogie and three seconds, finally addressing a significant need for big man depth.

Richards, who is averaging 8.9 points, 7.5 rebounds and 1.2 blocks on the season, is 7 feet tall and immediately bolsters Phoenix’s otherwise modest size, primarily occupied by Jusuf Nurkić and Mason Plumlee.

The addition of Richards is a sign that the Suns are still going for it this season, as they still have the big three of Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal in place.

The trio has had to help with the team’s big man responsibilities, and now there’s a chance they can scale back such efforts and focus more on offensive output.

While Richards, 27, has just 221 games of NBA experience, his production over the past two seasons should help the Suns in their playoff push. He is tasked with rebounding, protecting the paint and scoring near the rim.

Of his shot attempts, 94.7% have come from within 10 feet this season, so don’t expect the center to spend much time on the perimeter. He’s a rim runner and dunker spot and cleanup guy through and through. For Phoenix, that’s not a bad thing.

As for the Hornets, they get a defensive wing whose fit seems a bit lopsided given the presence of Josh Green. However, one cannot deny that Okogie is scrappy.

The 26-year-old plays an aggressive defensive style that leads to steals and a surprising amount of blocks due to his athleticism and sense of timing.

Okogie is shooting over 38% from downtown this season after shooting 29.3% over the first six years of his career, and if that number somehow becomes the new normal, then Charlotte could easily find a way to get him more minutes.

It also appears that Okogie is a bit of an investment in Charlotte’s young players, most of whom are not disciplined defensively. The organization could hope to see his influence have a trickle-down effect on those players, especially LaMelo Ball, who still needs to round out his defensive game to become a true superstar.

But the big thing for Charlotte is of course the three second-rounders.

The organization wasn’t going anywhere this season, and using Richard’s contract to raise capital was always an obvious avenue. For a team still a few years away from being truly competitive, adding draft picks to use as either picks or as trade assets gives them another way to make upgrades.

Overall, both teams got what they needed. Richards fills a big need for Phoenix and the Hornets fill up their draft cabinet. This seems to be a win-win.