Overview
- HoopsHype first reported exploratory discussions on a deal sending Ochai Agbaji and a second-round pick to Phoenix for center Nick Richards.
- Toronto has been evaluating backup-center options to trim luxury tax exposure, with Agbaji identified by rivals as a likely outgoing piece.
- Phoenix’s center rotation features Mark Williams and developing bigs, which has squeezed Richards’ minutes and made him a trade candidate.
- A subsequent report relayed that Phoenix was not inclined to take Agbaji, with the proposed swap characterized as having fallen through.
- Both players are on modest deals, with Agbaji in the final year before restricted free agency and Richards on roughly $5 million this season, as teams reassess needs ahead of the Feb. 5 deadline.