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.

During Week 13, the Blazers will play four games, beginning with the Heat on Tuesday. With Mark Williams firmly entrenched as Charlotte’s starting center, Richards needed a move to have a chance of establishing his fantasy ceiling.

Phoenix addressed its size issue by adding Richards, who averaged 11.3 points on 61.7% shooting, 10.2 rebounds, 1.7 blocks and 27.2 minutes in nine starts with the Hornets. For the season, he is averaging 8.9 points on 56.1% shooting, 7.5 rebounds. 1.2 blocks and 21.0 minutes per game in 21 games with Charlotte.

Nick Richards could become the starting center in Phoenix, which impacts Jusuf Nurkic's duties with the Suns and Mark Williams' role in Charlotte.

The Suns have acquired Nick Richards ahead of the NBA trade deadline, leading to rumors about Jusuf Nurkic's future.

The Suns are still without Jusuf Nurkic, who has yet to join the team on this five-game road trip because he’s been out with the flu. He'll miss a third straight game on Thursday.

The addition of Richards is a sign the Suns are still going for it this season, as they still have the big three of Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal in place. The trio has had to help out in terms of the team's big man responsibilities, and now there's a chance they can scale back on such endeavors and focus more on offensive output.

Phoenix was looking to include center Jusuf Nurkic in the trade talks for Richards and coveted Hornets swingman Cody Martin, league sources told HoopsHype.Source: HoopsHype What’s the buzz

Suns guard Bradley Beal is doubtful for Thursday's game against the Wizards after spraining his ankle in Tuesday's loss.

However, they’ve added a player in Richards who can provide the rebounding and rim protection the current rotation lacks while not needing to have plays run for him offensively. While there were opportunities for him to shine in Charlotte,

Nick Richards is with Phoenix Suns here in Detroit. Suns coach Mike Budenholzer said before Thursday's win at Wizards he expected Richards to play Saturday vs. Pistons. Team didn't practice today, but Budenholzer looked for Suns to start getting Richards up to speed today on…