Bradley Beal and Nurkic were benched for the Jan. 6 game at Philadelphia. Nurkic played that game and the next against Charlotte in the second of a road back-to-back, but Suns coach Mike Budenholzer didn't play him the next two games against Atlanta and Utah.

Get to know new Phoenix Suns center Nick Richards and what his potential role with the NBA team could be after his trade from the Charlotte Hornets.

Richards finished Monday's 118-92 loss to Cleveland with four points (2-4 FG), four rebounds, one assist and two blocks across 22 minutes.

In his Suns debut, center Nick Richards made quite the impression with a 20+ point and 10+ rebound double-double.

Phoenix saw major contributions from the megastar duo of Kevin Durant and Devin Booker - as the pair combined to score 71 points. The ultimate difference between a win and a loss very well could've been thanks to a phenomenal debut from recently acquired C Nick Richards.

The Suns made a move to acquire Nick Richards from the Hornets, but some people are more skeptical of the move than expected.

The Charlotte Hornets traded backup center Nick Richards and a second-round draft pick to the Phoenix Suns for guard Josh Okogie and three second-round draft picks on Wednesday night.

Richards - coupled with rookie stud Oso Ighodaro - will inject a very pointed surge of athleticism into the Suns' lineup. Last season Nick Richards had more dunks (120) than Nurkic and Plumlee combined (100) in 1000 fewer minutes.

This is more than a change of scenery for new Phoenix Suns big Nick Richards. In being traded, Richards leaves a Charlotte franchise that hasn’t made the playoffs since 2016 and joins one that’s looking to compete for championship.

Kevin Durant reacted to new teammate Nick Richards' debut for the Phoenix Suns against the Detroit Pistons on Saturday night. The Suns acquired Richards from the Charlotte Hornets in a move to ...

Suns center Nick Richards scored 21 points off the bench in his on-court debut as Phoenix picked up a 125-121 win over the Detroit Pistons on Saturday.

The Suns won't waste any more time after Richards erupted for 21 points (7-8 FG, 7-9 FT), 11 rebounds, one assist and one steal over 29 minutes in his debut against the Pistons on Saturday. With Richards likely to remain in the starting lineup going forward, Mason Plumlee will retreat to the second unit.