The Phoenix Suns’ newest addition could make his team debut on the road against the Detroit Pistons on Saturday afternoon.
Center Nick Richards, acquired in a trade with the Charlotte Hornets on Wednesday, is expected to suit up as the Suns continue their five-game road swing. They have won four of the last five games, including a 130-123 victory at Washington on Thursday to even their record at 20-20.
Phoenix gave up guard-forward Josh Okogie and three second-round picks in exchange for Richards and a second rounder. Jusuf Nurkic, who has been dealing with an illness, was recently benched and the Suns are looking at Richards as a starter.
Richards has appeared in 21 games (nine starts) and is averaging 8.9 points, 7.5 rebounds and 1.2 blocks. Last season, Richards averaged 9.7 points and 8.0 rebounds in 67 games. including 51 starts.
“We’re excited about adding Nick and what he can bring to our team and how he can impact the game defensively around the rim,” Suns coach Mike Budenholzer said. “On the boards on both ends of the court, screen setter, just that kind of 7-foot size, athleticism can always be impactful.”
Suns star forward Kevin Durant is confident Richards will prove to be an imposing figure.
“He’s a strong presence in the paint, a big body that can wreak havoc down there and cause some problems with his rim protection,” Durant said. “Getting his hands on the basketball on the offensive glass and then finishing above the rim. It’s something we all have to get better at as a group. Hopefully, he leads us in that area.”
Phoenix did give up 40 fourth-quarter points in the victory over the downtrodden Wizards in an example of how it needs to improve defensively.
“We have to be better as a unit. We have to finish games better,” Durant said.
The Pistons are looking to bounce back from a 111-100 home loss to the Indiana Pacers. They had won 10 of their previous 12 games.
Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff blamed himself for the loss but center Jalen Duren disagreed.
“I won’t put that on coach. I’ll say coach gave us a game plan and we have to do a better job executing as a team,” Duren said. “We’ll be better. We’re not going to let this snowball. It’s a tough loss. But we have Phoenix coming in, so we’ll get ready for them and get back to it.”
Pistons star guard Cade Cunningham had 20 points and nine assists but shot just 7-for-21 from the field with seven turnovers. Cunningham had at least 32 points in four of the previous six games and Bickerstaff continues to tout him as worthy of an All-Star selection
“I think a lot of times when you see guys have great seasons, they do a really good job of having an individually great season,” Bickerstaff said. “If you look at this team, Cade is having a great season, but he’s also uplifting others around him to have a great season.
“He didn’t have to take from anybody else, he poured into everybody else. So it’s not only having his own number and having career years, but helping to aid other players and getting better individually and being the glue that’s helped a team get better.”
–Field Level Media
