The NBA trade deadline is almost upon us, and it appears unlikely the Phoenix Suns will be making any major roster moves of note. A far cry from the beginning of the Mat Ishbia era.
The only player who has been consistently linked with a move away from The Valley has been backup center Nick Richards, but to date no deal has come together.
Latest trades around the league prove Richards can be moved
But activity from throughout the NBA has proven that the Suns could yet shed Richards and the remaining money on his one year, $5 million deal, and stay away from salary cap trouble in the process.
Any thoughts on the #Suns being linked with Jeremy Sochan? Good? Bad? Surprised? (✍️ @LucaLockheart)https://t.co/K6MlPWleP4
— Valley of the Suns (@ValleyoftheSuns) January 31, 2026
That's because both the Cleveland Cavaliers (De'Andre Hunter) and Sacramento Kings (former Sun Dario Saric) have managed to dump players to save money in the last few days, despite the new CBA making it a lot more difficult to do so.
There's also the not so small matter of Giannis Antetokounmpo and where he might end up, with plenty of rumored deals on standby until that actually happens (if it ever does).
Luckily for the Suns, Richards is even easier to move on from than both players mentioned above, it is getting value of any kind back for him that is the issue.
Phoenix clearly had an issue with the size and dominance inside in a recent loss to the L.A. Clippers, and if nothing else Richards allows them to combat that somewhat.
But he has only ever proven he can be a backup in this league despite being given a bigger role in The Valley last season, so it is not like he is a viable long-term solution.
Which combined with the fact he will be an unrestricted free agent in the summer is exactly why the Suns are struggling to move on from him. Could they get a second rounder for him?
That's about as good as it is going to get, unless the organization can somehow find a player making the minimum that another franchise wants to part with, and who also have interest in Richards.
That is a small list, but the recent deals have proven it is not impossible. If anybody can get a deal done it is General Manager Brian Gregory, who has quietly started life really well in Phoenix.
Perhaps Richards stays beyond the deadline, but there is time yet and the benefit of other trades getting made to give the Suns hope that they can get something done in the coming days.