Last summer, Charlotte Hornets big man Nick Richards kept floating as a potential trade target for various teams needing frontcourt depth.
It's unclear if rival front offices indeed inquired about him. If so, the Hornets appeared to have resisted any overtures or proposals, which turned out to be the right move at the time.
With starter Mark Williams going down with an injury at the start of training camp, Charlotte turned to Richards to hold the fort. It was quite a job well done for the University of Kentucky product.
Nick Richards appears undervalued by other NBA executives
Before the 2024-25 regular season commenced, there had been concerns about Richards' ability to protect the rim and catch the ball. But while he is far from a finished product, he has been able to prove to the Hornets why they need him.
The Jamaican averaged a double-double and added 2.4 blocks per game in the Hornets' first five contests of the 2024-25 campaign. And despite missing a huge chunk of the regular season so far, he has been a major reason behind the team's drastic leap in rebounding and defense.
Yet, Richards has continued to be tabbed as one of Charlotte's most likely trade candidates, as other organizations have reportedly expressed interest in landing him, per Michael Scotto of HoopsHype.
Perhaps there is some belief that the Hornets should bring back some assets rather than have a productive reserve or insurance versus injury at the center position. The emergence of young big man Moussa Diabate may have also made the fifth-year pro a bit expendable.
Several executives believe it would take at least two second-round picks to land Richards. Considering that Charlotte picked him up in the second round of the 2020 draft, such a return could already be viewed as a good return on investment.
However, two second-rounders do not signify Richards' true value to the Hornets. It would take a lot of courage for the front office to give up a proven player in exchange for a couple of picks that may or may not pan out well. Of course, the franchise could also use the draft selections in a separate deal, but even that wouldn't assure a positive return.
So, unless Charlotte is able to snag a promising prospect, established rotation player, or even a first-round pick in a Nick Richards trade, it might be better off holding onto the 27-year-old center. That might be too steep a price for suitors, but it's only right for the organization to put a premium on their players.