The Chicago Bulls bolstered their frontcourt on Thursday night, acquiring center Nick Richards in a three-team trade with the Phoenix Suns and Milwaukee Bucks that became official at 9:48 p.m. ET, the Bulls announced.
Under the final terms, Phoenix sends Richards to Chicago, while Milwaukee receives forward Ousmane Dieng. The Suns add guards Cole Anthony and Amir Coffey, and the Bucks also pick up forward Nigel Hayes-Davis.
Financial implications for Phoenix
Moving Richards lowers the Suns’ payroll roughly $2.5 million below the luxury-tax line and creates a $5 million trade exception, according to cap analyst Yossi Gozlan. The savings give Phoenix room to convert two-way guard Jamaree Bouyea to a standard NBA contract without exceeding the tax, and the club could open another roster spot by waiving Anthony or Coffey.
Richards’ opportunity in Chicago
Richards, 27, is earning $2.296 million on an expiring deal. After starting 34 of his 36 games for Phoenix last season, he has averaged 3.2 points and 3.3 rebounds in 9.1 minutes across 28 appearances this year. Chicago cleared minutes at center earlier this week by trading Nikola Vucevic, positioning Richards for a larger role.
What the Bucks receive
Dieng, 23, is making $6.67 million in the final season of his rookie contract and will be a restricted free agent this summer. He appeared in 27 games off the Oklahoma City bench before passing briefly through Charlotte and Chicago in earlier deals. Hayes-Davis, 27, is on an expiring $2 million contract after averaging 1.3 points in 7.2 minutes over 27 games with Phoenix.
Suns add backcourt depth
Anthony, 25, has posted 6.7 points and 3.5 assists in 15.1 minutes over 35 games. Coffey, 26, is averaging 2.4 points in 8.8 minutes across 30 contests. Both guards are on expiring contracts worth $2.87 million and $2.67 million, respectively.
The transaction follows Milwaukee’s decision earlier in the day to halt trade discussions involving star forward Giannis Antetokounmpo and pursue other roster moves.
Source: Hoops Rumors
