With the trade deadline looming, fans are anticipating what the Charlotte Hornets have up their sleeves. Some expect them to facilitate bigger deals in order to get back some future assets. On the other hand, some people have been imploring the franchise to move their tradeable veterans and seek better-fitting roster reinforcements.
Among those who have been extensively discussed as a potential trade candidate is Nick Richards. Since the offseason, the big man has already been mentioned as a possible target for other squads, and the murmurs are only growing louder by the day.
Several teams have reportedly been linked to the fifth-year pro. According to Evan Sidery of Forbes, the Denver Nuggets, Los Angeles Lakers (apparently still), Milwaukee Bucks, New York Knicks, Phoenix Suns, and Sacramento Kings have expressed interest in Richards.
There's a reason for the Hornets to hesitate to dump Nick
Looking at the 27-year-old vet's numbers, it stands to reason that Charlotte should hold onto him, as he is averaging 9.2 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks per game this season. In his nine starts, his production has jumped to 11.3 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks per contest.
So, maybe the Hornets could decide to retain Richards not just as a second-string center but also as insurance in the event that starter Mark Williams has to spend another extended period on the sidelines. The young big man has yet to prove that he doesn't deserve to be labeled as injury-prone, considering his relatively lengthy injury history.
To be fair, Richards has typically done well in Williams' absence. However, he may have already hit his ceiling as an NBA player, and his weaknesses, including his clumsy hands and subpar defense, have just been too glaring. Perhaps a fresh start elsewhere is what the doctor has ordered for the University of Kentucky product. And if the rumor is true that several suitors are lining up to acquire him, a bidding war could have Charlotte landing a solid haul.
Would the Hornets miss Richards, though, if they find him a new home? That likely won't happen as long as Williams remains healthy and Moussa Diabate stays on track (or even skip a few steps) in his development.
However, with all the uncertainties the organization has been going through this campaign, it wouldn't be surprising to see it make the tough decision to keep one of its second-round picks in the 2020 draft. Of course, only hindsight can prove whether that would be the right decision or not.