Warriors trade idea lands Suns’ 7-foot rebounder to assist Stephen Curry, Al Horford

The Golden State Warriors' age has already shown itself to be a considerable factor to begin the 2025-26 season.

Despite their strong 2-1 start and Stephen Curry's 33.3-point average in his first three games, their recent blowout 139-119 defeat against the Portland Trail Blazers on Friday night with 39-year-old center Al Horford sitting out of the contest did plenty to prove that Golden State might need a more reliable, younger option at the center position.

In an effort to net an under-utilized, athletic 7-foot center who could be of service to a contending team, one NBA writer has suggested that Phoenix Suns big man Nick Richards is a suitable trade target for Golden State.

"Each of Phoenix's four centers make $6.3 million or less this season, meaning it wouldn't necessarily be difficult to match salaries in a trade," FanSided's Peter O'Keefe wrote Sunday morning.

"Given the youth of (Khaman) Maluach and (Oso) Ighodaro, and the recent acquisition of (Mark) Williams, Richards would be the most realistic to acquire after averaging just 7.7 minutes through the first three games."

"It certainly wouldn't be as spectacular as acquiring (Bam) Adebayo or Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler, but it's also far more realistic and perhaps Richards' experience would make him a more trusted option right now than (Quinten) Post and (Trayce) Jackson-Davis."

The 27-year-old center was dealt from the Charlotte Hornets to the Phoenix Suns during the 2024-25 season, and it appears as though he could be on the move again in the near future. 

Richards contributed 9.5 points and 8.6 rebounds while shooting 60.5% from the field in 36 appearances with the Suns last season, but he has fallen down the depth chart for Phoenix to begin this season.

If Golden State can scrounge together the $6.3 million salary necessary to acquire the skilled double-double threat, there's a good chance that he'd be able to build solid chemistry with Curry and 9-time All-Defensive Team selection Draymond Green.

Sure, there would still be a mountain to climb for the Warriors in a stacked Western Conference, but Richards' hypothetical acquisition could be a fantastic decision to increase their chances of competing for a title.

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