The Phoenix Suns traded away Nick Richards and Nigel Hayes-Davis as part of a cost saving measure at the trade deadline, and already it is a move that is paying dividends in several different ways.
While Hayes-Davis quickly went back to Europe to once again dominate, Richards instead found himself with the Chicago Bulls were he is averaging 22 minutes a night.
Suns added Haywood Highsmith once Richards was dumped to Chicago
But the Suns did much more than just get under the tax by moving on from a backup center in Richards and a guy who never played in Hayes-Davis.
They added Amir Coffey and Cole Anthony in return from the Milwaukee Bucks, although Anthony never reported to The Valley and who is expected to be waived.
They then used their free roster spot to go out and get former Miami Heat player Haywood Highsmith, an excellent addition to the end of their bench.
I've long thought that, between the Suns "tagging up" + party in the backcourt instances of 2-3 guys pressing, they have unexplored "run & jump" defensive potential.
— Stephen PridGeon-Garner 🏁 (@StephenPG3) February 15, 2026
Haywood Highsmith adds to it.
Just wait for that first possession of him + Goodwin &/or Dunn in the backcourt.. pic.twitter.com/Ky3vLqlW4f
Although a tad undersized for the power forward position, the Suns have been using Royce O'Neale in that spot throughout the campaign and have managed just fine.
Highsmith looks like the perfect role player in a Jordan Ott team, the forward equivalent of both Jordan Goodwin and Jamaree Bouyea.
Even if he doesn't work out, the potential of what he could be is better than the reality of what Richards was. A backup who was often dwarfed by bigger centers on opposing second units.
It gets better though, as moving on from the former Charlotte Hornet also means rookie Khaman Maluach has been promoted to backup on this roster.
He may not be ready and he's going to make a ton of mistakes, but already we have seen the coaching staff trust him more by playing him 12 minutes in the recent loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder.
If the Suns were serious about a lottery pick beginning to have an impact on this group, even if they are way ahead of schedule and winning games, then moving on from Richards was the strongest indicator yet that they intend to do just that.
Should starter Mark Williams suffer an injury setback of any kind, and he has done amazingly to stay on the court as much as he has this season, then Maluach and Oso Ighodaro will be their only other options.
So it was about much more than just saving some money for the organization. The Suns essentially got a pair of new players in Highsmith and more Maluach minutes out of the trade as well.