Latest news with #NickRichards
Yahoo
06-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Sources: Lakers target Nick Richards, Yves Missi in trade talks for center
The post Sources: Lakers target Nick Richards, Yves Missi in trade talks for center appeared first on ClutchPoints. The Los Angeles Lakers have been seeking a center upgrade on the trade market throughout the offseason. After rescinding their trade for Charlotte Hornets center Mark Williams, who was recently traded to the Phoenix Suns this summer, executive Rob Pelinka and his front office have made it their top goal to add a rim-running big man who fits the same timeline as Luka Doncic. Advertisement As the Lakers have continued to scour, their search has led them to multiple names. Nic Claxton and Walker Kessler are the household, fan-favorite players many are linking to the team on social media, and both have been players Pelinka and his front office have discussed. However, new names have emerged in the Lakers' search for frontcourt talent, specifically Phoenix Suns' Nick Richards and New Orleans Pelicans' Yves Missi, sources said. Richards was acquired by the Suns before the 2025 NBA trade deadline for three second-round picks and Josh Okogie. In 36 games with Phoenix after his trade from Charlotte, the 27-year-old center averaged 9.5 points and 8.6 rebounds per game while shooting over 60 percent from the floor. The Suns recently drafted Khaman Maluach with the 10th pick in the 2025 NBA Draft and traded for Williams, who Lakers fans know all too well. Phoenix is also high on Oso Ighodaro's development and potential entering the 2025-26 season, which is why the team is willing to move Richards this offseason. Advertisement Los Angeles has been linked to Richards already this offseason by Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, who also reported that the New York Knicks and Indiana Pacers are among several teams to inquire about the athletic big man. Missi is a very intriguing name to emerge as a trade target for the Lakers. The 21-year-old was recently named to the 2024-25 All-Rookie Second Team after averaging 9.1 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks per game in his first season with the Pelicans. The 21st-overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft may be more obtainable than many would imagine, especially after New Orleans flipped their front office around in the offseason, replacing David Griffin with Joe Dumars. Since Dumars took over, the Pelicans have been very aggressive in trade talks around the league, sources said. New Orleans has both fielded and made calls to teams to try and flip their roster around into one that can compete in the Western Conference immediately. Advertisement In addition to trading up to select Derik Queen in the lottery of this year's draft, a player Dumars and the Pelicans' brass are exceptionally high on, the team went out and signed veteran center Kevon Looney from the Golden State Warriors. It doesn't seem like the Pelicans are done making moves in their frontcourt just yet. Jose Alvarado and Jordan Hawkins have been two names floated around in trade rumors, with New Orleans wanting to add more size, sources said. The Lakers have also held trade conversations with the Portland Trail Blazers regarding veteran center Robert Williams III. With the Blazers waiving Deandre Ayton, who is rumored to be another player Los Angeles is gathering more information on, it appears Williams' price has decreased from where it stood before the trade deadline in February. Williams is entering the final year of his contract and will make just $13.2 million during the 2025-26 season. Advertisement The Orlando Magic are another team the Lakers have contacted regarding Wendell Carter Jr. and Goga Bitadze, sources said. It is unknown at this time what the extent of these conversations was and whether the Magic are actively listening to offers for Carter, a valuable member of their frontcourt. Between free agency and the trade market, Pelinka and the Lakers' brass have remained busy trying to find an immediate upgrade in their frontcourt. Despite missing out on Brook Lopez, Myles Turner, and Clint Capela in free agency, Los Angeles remains extremely motivated to add an impactful center this offseason. (ClutchPoints' Lakers insider Anthony Irwin also contributed to this report). Related: Los Angeles Lakers' biggest mistake early in 2025 NBA free agency Related: 3 superstars Los Angeles Lakers will target in 2027
Yahoo
02-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Lakers reportedly have four new centers as trade targets
A little over 24 hours into the NBA's official free agency period, it seems as if the Los Angeles Lakers are simply sitting on their hands. Their only addition thus far has been 6-foot-7 forward Jake LaRavia, and they lost key 3-and-D wing Dorian Finney-Smith to the Houston Rockets. They still have a gaping hole the size of the Grand Canyon at the center position. Deandre Ayton, who agreed to a buyout of his contract with the Portland Trail Blazers, has been heavily linked to them, but there has been no news regarding him. Advertisement There is now talk that the Lakers are scouring the trade market for a solution at the center position. They have been linked to Nick Richards of the Phoenix Suns, and according to Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints, there are four other big men they're after. One of them is Yves Missi, who just completed a promising rookie season and averaged 9.1 points, 8.2 rebounds and 1.3 blocks in 26.8 minutes a game. "However, new names have emerged in the Lakers' search for frontcourt talent, specifically Phoenix Suns' Nick Richards and New Orleans Pelicans' Yves Missi, sources said," Siegel wrote. With Kevon Looney and rookie Derik Queen heading to New Orleans, the team may be willing to let go of Missi for the right price. Missi will make $3.35 million during the 2025-26 season. Another name to watch, according to Siegel, is Robert Williams III of the Trail Blazers. "The Lakers have also held trade conversations with the Portland Trail Blazers regarding veteran center Robert Williams III. With the Blazers waiving Deandre Ayton, who is rumored to be another player Los Angeles is gathering more information on, it appears Williams' price has decreased from where it stood before the trade deadline in February. "Williams is entering the final year of his contract and will make just $13.2 million during the 2025-26 season." Advertisement Williams has been injury-prone in his seven seasons in the NBA. But when healthy, he's an effective rebounder and shot-blocker, and he registered 5.9 rebounds and 1.7 blocks in 17.6 minutes a game during the 2024-25 campaign, although he appeared in just 20 games. Finally, Siegel reported that Los Angeles has talked to the Orlando Magic about two of their centers. "The Orlando Magic are another team the Lakers have contacted regarding Wendell Carter Jr. and Goga Bitadze, sources said. It is unknown at this time what the extent of these conversations was and whether the Magic are actively listening to offers for Carter, a valuable member of their frontcourt." Carter is 26 years of age, and while he isn't a tremendous shot-blocker, he's a good rebounder and a strong finisher near the rim. Bitadze, who will turn 26 on July 20, is an intriguing option. He put up 7.2 points, 6.6 rebounds and 1.4 blocks in 20.4 minutes a game this past season, and in particular, he has shown signs of being a beast on the boards. Advertisement While Carter agreed to a three-year, $59 million contract extension in October 2024, Bitadze's contract will pay him $8.3 million for the 2025-26 season. This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: Lakers reportedly have four new centers as trade targets
Yahoo
02-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
NBA rumors: Suns center linked to Knicks, Lakers in trade talks
The post NBA rumors: Suns center linked to Knicks, Lakers in trade talks appeared first on ClutchPoints. After the Phoenix Suns traded for Mark Williams and drafted a center with the No. 10 pick in the NBA Draft, Nick Richards is perceived to be the odd man out in a logjam in the frontcourt. Advertisement After striking out on Williams in a collapsed deal with the Charlotte Hornets, the Los Angeles Lakers are expected to make a run at the Suns for Richards. One report is linking the Lakers and the New York Knicks to the veteran 7-footer. The Suns should be combing through offers for Richards this week, according to Hoopshype's Michael Sotto. 'After trading for Charlotte Hornets center Mark Williams and drafting Khaman Maluach with the No. 10 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, Phoenix Suns center Nick Richards is a trade candidate to monitor,' Sotto reports. 'Richards has a $5 million non-guaranteed salary for the 2025-26 season expected to be guaranteed by the Suns, which will give the team the ability to trade him. 'Richards has drawn trade interest from several teams, including the New York Knicks, Indiana Pacers, and Los Angeles Lakers,' Sotto concluded. Advertisement The Suns could wind up with a solid haul for Richards in a move with the Knicks or Lakers. In an attempt to position themselves for a deep playoff run in the post-Kevin Durant era, the Suns are off to a strong start in addressing its frontcourt concerns with a starting center in Williams and a starting forward with All-Star potential in Jalen Green. Bill Simmons adds Lakers to landing spot for Suns' Bradley Beal Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports If the Lakers are in the market for Bradley Beal, perhaps the Suns could swing a move centered around Rui Hachimura and other pieces to match salary. It's a move worth exploring if you're the Lakers, per The Ringer's Bill Simmons. Advertisement 'I think the Lakers are in there from a desperation standpoint on getting some sort of person that makes them feel different than they were last year,' Simmons said. 'I'm putting Sacramento in here because I think they're just in no man's land, and they're somehow back to who they were for the entire 2010s, and they just have this weird team that doesn't make sense, and are they capable of anything.' 'I had Phoenix because of this Beal situation,' Simmons continued. 'What do you do? You can't buy them out. That would be idiotic. Do you hope he's gonna be better? You can't trade him.' The Suns front office will begin to execute its offseason gameplan this week. Related: NBA rumors: Rockets, Hawks fighting to make multiple wing splashes Related: What happened the Team USA's under-19 2021 FIBA World Cup star who outplayed Victor Wembanyama?
Yahoo
01-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Lakers reportedly have trade interest in center Nick Richards
After the first official day of NBA free agency, the Los Angeles Lakers lost forward Dorian Finney-Smith to the Houston Rockets and added 23-year-old forward Jake LaRavia. But they still have a gaping hole at the center position, and almost no options remaining to fill it. The one available free agent fans are pining for is Deandre Ayton, who agreed to a buyout of his contract with the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday. Ayton may or may not come, and if he doesn't come, the Lakers will truly have their backs against the wall as far as improving at the center spot. Advertisement One other possible solution at the 5 could be Nick Richards of the Phoenix Suns. The Suns recently agreed to trade for both Mark Williams and incoming rookie Khaman Maluach, which seems to make Richards the odd man out. According to Michael Scotto of Hoops Hype, the Lakers are one team that has interest in trading for Richards. "Richards has a $5 million non-guaranteed salary for the 2025-26 season expected to be guaranteed by the Suns, which will give the team the ability to trade him," Scotto wrote. "Richards has drawn trade interest from several teams, including the New York Knicks, Indiana Pacers, and Los Angeles Lakers, league sources told HoopsHype." The 27-year-old big man averaged 9.3 points, 8.2 rebounds and 1.0 blocks in 22.0 minutes a game this past season. He was traded to the Suns by the Charlotte Hornets back in January. He could give Los Angeles help on the boards and perhaps some occasional rim protection and baskets off lob passes. This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: Lakers reportedly have trade interest in center Nick Richards
Yahoo
30-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Suns Center Drawing Offseason Interest After Phoenix's Roster Moves
Suns Center Drawing Offseason Interest After Phoenix's Roster Moves originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Phoenix Suns are undergoing massive changes, both with their roster and within the organization. The sizable moves started after their calamitous season in which they went 36-46 and missed out on any postseason qualification. After failing to qualify for even a spot in the NBA Play-In Tournament, owner Mat Ishbia decided to part ways with head coach Mike Budenholzer. Advertisement That proved to be just the first move, as Ishbia made a significant change in the front office when he moved James Jones into a senior advisory role and installed Brian Gregory as the new general manager. Gregory's first significant task was a long time coming: trading Kevin Durant. Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images Suns center drawing offseason interest after Phoenix's roster moves In return for Durant, the Suns received Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, the No. 10 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, and five second-round picks. With the 10th pick, the Suns selected Duke center Khaman Maluach. Later on in the night, the Suns announced they were trading the No. 29 pick for Charlotte Hornets center Mark Williams, making certain players expendable. Advertisement According to NBA Insider Michael Scotto, the Los Angeles Lakers, New York Knicks and Indiana Pacers are expected to show interest in Suns center Nick Richards. 'Richards has a $5 million non-guaranteed salary for the 2025-26 season expected to be guaranteed by the Suns, which will give the team the ability to trade him," wrote Scotto. Richards has drawn trade interest from several teams, including the New York Knicks, Indiana Pacers, and Los Angeles Lakers, league sources told HoopsHype.' The Suns went from needing a center to now having an influx of young talent at the position. As a result, it shouldn't be surprising to see Richards, Williams' former teammate with the Hornets, as a possible trade candidate heading into free agency. Advertisement Richards was acquired by the Suns when they sent Josh Okogie and a second-round pick to Charlotte for Richards. Richards performed admirably, starting 34 of the 36 games in which he appeared for the Suns. This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 30, 2025, where it first appeared.
