When it comes to grading trades, I think people are way too lenient in general, rarely I can describe a trade as an A for a team. so do keep this in mind as I grade this trade.

Suns: B-

I do really like this trade for the suns. Nick Richards has been one of my favourite guys on the market as a backup center, and I think the suns were right to be aggressive for him, and filled a need they have for good value. Giving up what was effectively 2 2nds for him is around the value I was expecting him go at. Another great reason this is great value is the trade exception the suns got of just over 3 million, for a team who I think needs to make another few moves, I will get to that later, and can be attached to make the money work for a team in a lot of money trouble.

Losing Josh Okogie is a light loss for them. I like Okogie, I think he's valuable role-player but he was in a stacked wing group in Phoenix where he wasn't going to have a large enough role. but In those minutes he shot good percentages 38% from 3 and 49% from the field. gets about a steal a game. He isn't the best sized wing and I really don't see him as a valuable suns player so you should not sad or worried about losing him.

Now on to Nick Richards, Great rebounder and puts up good value stats in role-player minutes and has been very valuable player for the Hornets when they have been somewhat healthy and when Mark Williams has been out. when they have been competitive and when they aren't. He is going to help any team, does everything a center really has to do, but he isn't very special in terms of his game. why he fits with the suns? they are awful at rebounding, bottom 10 in the league, they just let small ass Okungwu dominate the boards and get 20 of em last night (very happy as a hawks fan) so they need the rebounding value desperately, he adds some blocks for them, he will probably start for them since they bench Nurkic recently. They didn't have much depth at the 5 and you traded for a stereotypical 5 for a cheap price. It's just a good trade, a smart decision but does it really get you into the playoffs? probably not.

What next? Perimeter defence.

Ive not been worried about the offence for the suns, maybe get another point guard for playmaking but hey have been a fun offensive team but the defence has been bad. I'd like to see another defender added on the perimeter. Whether you find a point guard who can guard up and playmaker or a wing with a bit more versatility. they just need to find some improvement. I would be looking into point guards (when I have some more time I'll add some examples out there on the market).

Hornets: C+:

Really the trade they should do, can't fault it. Cashed in on Nick Richards increased value and his demand which he didn't have prior to the season, he had good performances but you are 14th in your conference, lets just work towards a top 3 pick to get one of those top 3 guys on this roster.

The 2 extra seconds are valuable, definitely some valuable role-players available when you enter the 2nd round, focus on finding that talent.

Give Okogie minutes, see if higher volume affects his efficiency since he has been efficient and maybe you can flip him in the offseason to add some more 2nds from a team needing some flash offence. Basically, can we get trade value out of Okogie.

What next? Tank.

Nothing really to add just be bad, develop and collect picks. If you keep doing trades like this, I like how the front office is operating with this roster and they can steal some very nice picks from desperate teams

Alright that's it.

Looking forward to seeing how the trade season develops, but a cool trade for both teams. smart operations.

LMK what you think. do you disagree, what did you like, dislike etc.

I plan to do quite a lot of these as we approach the deadline so please leave a like if you like this to let me know I should keep going with these.