The Charlotte Hornets finally bit the bullet, trading Nick Richards away. He is reportedly now a member of the Phoenix Suns, who gave up Josh Okogie and three second-round picks in exchange for the big man and a second-round selection.
Considering what the Hornets have gotten in some folks' mock trades, the return they actually received might be a bit underwhelming.
An argument can even be made that Phoenix won the deal. It added a needed frontcourt boost while saving a significant amount of money. Okogie is set to earn over $3 million more than Richards. In reality, though, the Suns will shave much more than that on their luxury tax bill.
Hornets' next steps should include a promotion and another trade
Still, the Hornets are likely better off after the trade. While Richards had been serviceable as a backup big and insurance for when Mark Williams was injured, he appears to have already hit his ceiling in Charlotte.
Besides, a certain youngster is waiting for his opportunity to prove his worth. Moussa Diabate has turned heads in his first year with the Hive. Even if some of his skills, particularly on the offensive end, still need honing, his rebounding, defense, athleticism, and energy have impressed many fans. However, when Williams and Richards are healthy, Diabate has had to spend more of his time in the G League.
With Richards gone, the 22-year-old French can hopefully experience more action in the NBA. He is currently on a two-way deal with the organization, and it makes a ton of sense to see his contract converted to a standard one.
In addition to the team promoting Diabate, it has to accomplish at least another trade before the deadline.
The Hornets likely brought in Okogie, whose contract is guaranteed for the 2025-26 season, with the idea that he has to be included in the rotation. Otherwise, they should have asked the Suns for an expiring contract.
The seventh-year pro, though, is a defensive-minded wing player who doesn't exactly space the floor well for his teammates. If that archetype sounds familiar, that's because Charlotte already has one in Cody Martin. Having both Okogie and the Hornets vet in the same lineup may be a boon on defense, but it is certainly a scary proposition on the other end of the floor.
Perhaps it's time for the front office to part ways with Martin, who appears to have no business staying with the franchise beyond this year. The possible good news is that Okogie would probably be a fitting replacement, especially since he has been shooting well from long distance (38.1 percent) this season, albeit at a very low volume (1.7 3-point field-goal attempts per game).