The Phoenix Suns may have to keep Jusuf Nurkić around this season due to his large contract according to a recent report.

In the move, the Suns acquired Richards and a second-round pick from the Hornets for Josh Okogie and three second-round picks. This was a solid trade for Phoenix as they not only added a solid new center for cheap, but they also freed up cap space in the move.

If Nick Richards doesn't help the Suns right the ship this season, they soon may be facing existential questions about the core of their roster.

According to Bovada, the Washington Wizards have the best odds (+300) of landing Nurkić in a trade. They are followed by the Miami Heat (+400), Houston Rockets (+400) and Detroit Pistons (+400).

Jusuf Nurkić did not play in the Phoenix Suns' victory over the Atlanta Hawks Thursday night. What does it mean for his future in Phoenix?

PHOENIX — Devin Booker stood at his locker late Sunday night. The Phoenix Suns had just beaten the Charlotte Hornets on their home court, hardly a reason for celebration. But the effort had given the struggling Suns their third win in a row and their fourth in five games since coach Mike Budenholzer altered the lineup.

According to veteran NBA reporter Chris Haynes, Phoenix is benching starters Bradley Beal and Jusuf Nurkić after losing seven of their past eight games, a stretch that has lowered their record to 15-18. Rookie wing Ryan Dunn and veteran big man Mason Plumlee will replace the pair in the starting lineup.

After trading for Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal to pair with Devin Booker ... Starting center Jusuf Nurkić, who came to Phoenix at the start of last season, is a perfect scapegoat.

Seeing Bradley Beal and Jusuf Nurkić not being fazed by moving ... changing depending on if the team is up or down, Suns star Devin Booker doesn’t want to see that inconsistency and instead ...

Amid a four-game skid, the Phoenix Suns are reportedly set to make some major changes to their lineup. According to NBA insider Chris Haynes, the Suns

According to veteran NBA reporter Chris Haynes, Phoenix is benching starters Bradley Beal and Jusuf ... Durant and Devin Booker is nowhere close to materializing, and Beal and Nurkić were the ...

The addition of Richards is a sign the Suns are still going for it this season, as they still have the big three of Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal in place. The trio has had to help out in terms of the team's big man responsibilities, and now there's a chance they can scale back on such endeavors and focus more on offensive output.