Despite holding a lead entering the fourth quarter during Sunday night's contest, the Charlotte Hornets were unable to maintain their momentum against the Phoen

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

The Phoenix Suns and Charlotte Hornets are reportedly discussing a trade that would send Jusuf Nurkić and draft capital to Charlotte in exchange for Nick Richards before the NBA trade deadline, according to John Gambadoro of Arizona Sports 98.

The trade that went down yesterday between the Phoenix Suns and Charlotte Hornets was almost a lot bigger. Nick Richards and a pick went to Phoenix, and Josh Ok

The Suns have agreed to a trade that will send guard Josh Okogie and three second round draft picks to the Charlotte Hornets. >> Download the 12News app for the latest local breaking news straight to your phone.

The Charlotte Hornets have traded center Nick Richards and one second-round pick to the Phoenix Suns in exchange for Josh Okogie and three second-round

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

The 27-year-old Richards, who is averaging 8.9 points and 7.5 rebounds per game this season, could be the Suns' new starting center.

PHOENIX — Devin Booker stood at his locker late Sunday night. The Phoenix Suns had just beaten the Charlotte Hornets on their home court, hardly a reason for celebration. But the effort had given the struggling Suns their third win in a row and their fourth in five games since coach Mike Budenholzer altered the lineup.

“The Suns face similar challenges with the suddenly out-of-favor Jusuf Nurkić ... a team like Charlotte to take on Nurkić's contract for a package headlined by in-demand Hornets big man ...

The Suns have had a disappointing season thus far despite starting the season 8-1. Of course, they were expected to be one of the top teams in the Western Conference this season due to their star trio of Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal, but they instead hold a 21-21 record and sit 10 th in the West standings.

The Phoenix Suns have struggled this season, but they could retool their roster by swapping Bradley Beal for the Chicago Bulls' available duo.