Last month, the Suns traded Josh Okogie and three second-round picks to Charlotte for 7-footer Nick Richards, who was a backup to Williams, and a second-round selection. Richards became the starting center in his second game with the Suns after posting 21 points and 11 rebounds in his Suns debut on Jan. 18 at Detroit.

The Phoenix Suns traded center Jusuf Nurkic to the Charlotte Hornets before Thursday’s NBA trade deadline. The former Trail Blazers center was sent to Phoenix before the 2023-24 season in the trade that brought Deandre Ayton and Toumani Camara to Portland.