Suns Center Drawing Offseason Interest After Phoenix’s Roster Moves

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Zachary Rainey | Last updated Jun 30, 2025 12:44 PM ET

The Phoenix Suns are undergoing massive changes, both with their roster and within the organization. The sizable moves started after their calamitous season in which they went 36-46 and missed out on any postseason qualification. After failing to qualify for even a spot in the NBA Play-In Tournament, owner Mat Ishbia decided to part ways with head coach Mike Budenholzer.

That proved to be just the first move, as Ishbia made a significant change in the front office when he moved James Jones into a senior advisory role and installed Brian Gregory as the new general manager. Gregory's first significant task was a long time coming: trading Kevin Durant.

Suns center drawing offseason interest after Phoenix's roster moves

In return for Durant, the Suns received Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, the No. 10 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, and five second-round picks. With the 10th pick, the Suns selected Duke center Khaman Maluach. Later on in the night, the Suns announced they were trading the No. 29 pick for Charlotte Hornets center Mark Williams, making certain players expendable.

According to NBA Insider Michael Scotto, the Los Angeles Lakers, New York Knicks and Indiana Pacers are expected to show interest in Suns center Nick Richards.

“Richards has a $5 million non-guaranteed salary for the 2025-26 season expected to be guaranteed by the Suns, which will give the team the ability to trade him," wrote Scotto. Richards has drawn trade interest from several teams, including the New York Knicks, Indiana Pacers, and Los Angeles Lakers, league sources told HoopsHype.”

The Lakers, Knicks, and Pacers are expected to show interest in Nick Richards, per @MikeAScotto

“Richards has a $5 million non-guaranteed salary for the 2025-26 season expected to be guaranteed by the Suns, which will give the team the ability to trade him. Richards has drawn… pic.twitter.com/CnqJwVC0U8
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) June 30, 2025

The Suns went from needing a center to now having an influx of young talent at the position. As a result, it shouldn't be surprising to see Richards, Williams' former teammate with the Hornets, as a possible trade candidate heading into free agency.

Richards was acquired by the Suns when they sent Josh Okogie and a second-round pick to Charlotte for Richards. Richards performed admirably, starting 34 of the 36 games in which he appeared for the Suns.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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