Nick Richards
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Suns' Nick Richards during a game against the Denver Nuggets in March 2025
As the February 5 trade deadline approaches, the Los Angeles Lakers are widely expected to focus on upgrading the wing. Lately, however, another position has demanded increased attention.
According to ESPN’s Tim Bontemps and Brian Windhorst, general manager Rob Pelinka has also been exploring options to strengthen the frontcourt, with rim protection emerging as a growing need amid DeAndre Ayton’s uneven form.
Ayton, to his credit, delivered a statement performance on Friday night in a 142-111 win over the Washington Wizards.
He finished with 28 points, 13 rebounds, five offensive boards, and three blocks while shooting 12-of-14 from the field.
Per StatMuse, he became the first Lakers player to post those numbers in a single game since Shaquille O’Neal.
Lakers Still Evaluating Long-Term Center Options
Even so, one strong outing is unlikely to quiet the broader questions surrounding Ayton’s fit. It would likely take a sustained run of performances to convince the Lakers he can anchor a team with legitimate postseason ambitions.
NBA insider Jake Fischer has previously reported that the Lakers do not view Ayton as their “long-term answer at center or as the pick-and-roll rim-lob threat that Luka Doncic will grow old with in Hollywood.”
With that in mind, alternative options continue to surface. Lake Show Life’s Will Eudy recently outlined a proposal centered around Phoenix Suns center Nick Richards, framing him as a potential upgrade worth exploring.
“Richards presents a perfect chance for a potential upgrade,” Eudy wrote. “If you watch him play, Nick showcases a lot of skill that make it obvious why he’s been a steady player in this league for over half a decade now. He is a proven rim protector, offensive rebounder, and finisher.”
“The Lakers could have made a run at him last year, considering the Suns got him and a second-rounder for Josh Okogie and three second-rounders. This would be a low-risk addition LA could make. Richards would bring reliability in areas where this team has consistently come up short.”
Lakers Weigh Low-Risk Frontcourt Depth
Eudy also noted that Richards could provide added flexibility, serving as a “matchup-dependent option” and potentially sharing minutes alongside Ayton rather than replacing him outright.
According to HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto, Phoenix is open to moving Richards as part of an effort to avoid the luxury tax, with the asking price reportedly a modest second-round pick.
“To avoid the luxury tax, which is something the Suns are looking to do, league sources told HoopsHype that backup center Nick Richards has been made available on the trade market due to his expiring $5 million salary,” Scotto reported.
Richards’ role has diminished this season despite productive stretches earlier in his career with the Charlotte Hornets and a solid showing in Phoenix after arriving in a midseason trade last year.
Through 28 games this season, he is averaging 3.2 points and 3.3 rebounds in just 9.1 minutes per game. He is in the final year of a three-year, $15 million contract and is set to hit unrestricted free agency this summer.
For the Lakers, that contract structure is appealing. Acquiring Richards would represent a low-risk, high-upside move that adds frontcourt depth without clogging future cap space.
According to Spotrac’s Keith Smith, Los Angeles is projected to have more than $55 million in available cap space this summer, with both LeBron James and Austin Reaves potentially entering free agency.
The offseason remains the clearest opportunity for a significant roster reset, and Richards’ expiring salary would not interfere with that flexibility, while potentially helping stabilize the present campaign.