The Phoenix Suns have completed a trade to acquire guard Cole Anthony and Amir Coffey from the Milwaukee Bucks, parting ways with Nick Richards and Nigel Hayes-Davis, according to reports by Arizona Sports’ John Gambadoro.
As part of the deal, the Chicago Bulls were introduced into the mix, resulting in Richards being sent to Chicago rather than Milwaukee. Meanwhile, big man Ousmane Dieng will make the move from Chicago to Milwaukee. Dieng, who was recently acquired by the Bulls from the Oklahoma City Thunder, was part of a trade that included players like Coby White and Mike Conley Jr.
Richards, who had the largest salary in the deal at $5 million, helped the Suns get below the luxury tax threshold. This strategic move could help the team avoid repeater tax penalties as they have been a tax-paying squad in three of the last four years, last being under the tax in the 2021-22 season. During his time in Phoenix, Richards averaged 3.2 points and 3.3 rebounds this season, and over the course of the previous season, he posted averages of 9.5 points and 8.6 rebounds over 36 games. However, under the new coaching staff led by Jordan Ott, his role diminished due to the emergence of Mark Williams and Oso Ighodaro.
Hayes-Davis had recently joined the Suns as a free agent after several years overseas but struggled to establish himself in the rotation, averaging just 7.2 minutes across 27 games.
Cole Anthony, a 25-year-old guard, has played his entire career with the Orlando Magic until this season, with career averages of 12.0 points and 3.8 assists. He is currently averaging 6.7 points and 3.5 assists in limited minutes this year and is viewed as a potential buyout candidate. Meanwhile, Amir Coffey, at 28, recorded a career-high 9.7 points per game with the Los Angeles Clippers last season, though he has only averaged 8.8 minutes this season with the Bucks.
While the Suns did not receive any draft picks in return, the acquisition of Anthony and Coffey adds depth to the roster as they navigate a changing lineup. The move raises questions about the team’s future direction regarding the potential retention of both players, particularly with the possibility of Anthony being a buyout candidate. It also opens up new opportunities for other bench players like Jamaree Bouyea and Jordan Goodwin, who have been performing well.
The trade reshapes the Suns’ roster, providing additional insurance and flexibility as they aim to solidify their lineup. Richards, now in Chicago, is expected to gain decent playing time with Nikola Vucevic having been traded to Boston, marking a new chapter for him in the Windy City. Overall, this trade signals the Suns’ commitment to maintaining financial stability while seeking to enhance their competitive edge.