Suns reportedly guarantee Nick Richards' $5 million salary for 2025-26, but will he stay in Phoenix?

Apr 8, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns center Nick Richards (2) against the Golden State Warriors at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Nick Richards is sticking with the Phoenix Suns — for now, at least.

On Sunday afternoon, The Athletic’s Fred Katz reported the Suns organization is expected to guarantee the final year of Richards’ three-year, $15 million deal. Phoenix had until the end of the day to either guarantee the former Kentucky center’s $5 million salary for 2025-26 or waive him from the roster and allow him to enter free agency.

Richards started the 2024-25 campaign with the Charlotte Hornets, but was traded to Phoenix in January. Across 36 games with the Suns — 34 as a starter — the seven-footer averaged 9.5 points and 8.6 rebounds in 22.7 minutes per outing while shooting 60.5 percent from the field.

As expected, the Suns are holding onto Nick Richards, league sources tell The Athletic. Richards’ $5 million salary is expected to guarantee today for the 2025-26 season.
— Fred Katz (@FredKatz) June 29, 2025

By holding onto Richards, the Suns have a bit of a logjam at the center position. On Wednesday, the franchise traded for another Charlotte center, Mark Williams, while drafting Duke center Khaman Maluach with the 10th overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. The Suns also have big man Oso Ighodaro on the roster for next season.

With all that in mind, could Phoenix look to move Richards later in the summer? At a cost of $5 million for next season, he could be a valuable trade chip as the Suns potentially look to add more assets in the wake of the Kevin Durant-to-Houston trade. It’s already being whispered about online.

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But in the event that Phoenix does hold onto Richards for the start of the 2025-26 season, he’ll team up with some familiar Kentucky faces by his side. Devin Booker remains the Suns’ franchise player, while Koby Brea was added to the team on Thursday as a second-round draft pick. Regardless, the Suns just ensured Richards will make $5 million for the upcoming season.

Richards, 27, was drafted with the 42nd overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft by the New Orleans Pelicans, but was quickly traded to Charlotte, where he spent the first four and a half seasons of his pro career. Across 257 games played (108 starts), he’s averaged 7.3 points and 5.9 rebounds per game on 64 percent shooting. He’s proved to be a useful backup center who can contribute on the glass and around the rim.