00:01Phoenix Suns fans, let's break down the trade news that just came across the wire.
00:05According to reports from John Gambadoro of Arizona Sports, the Phoenix Suns have agreed
00:10to acquire guard Cole Anthony and Amir Coffey from the Milwaukee Bucks.
00:15Heading out in the exchange are Nick Richards and Nigel Hayes Davis.
00:20Now, here's where it gets a bit more involved.
00:22Right before the deadline, ESPN's Shams Karania reported that the Chicago Bulls were added
00:27into this trade.
00:28As a result, Nick Richards will now be heading to Chicago, not Milwaukee.
00:33Additionally, big man Usmane D'Ang will move from Chicago to Milwaukee.
00:37For context, D'Ang was just acquired by the Bulls from the Oklahoma City Thunder a day prior
00:42in a separate three-team deal involving Kobe White, Mike Conley Jr., and Colin Sexton.
00:48From a financial perspective, Nick Richards was the largest salary in this deal at $5 million.
00:53This move is significant for the Suns because it gets the team under
00:57the luxury tax threshold.
00:59This is crucial as it could allow them to avoid repeater tax penalties.
01:03Having been a taxpaying team in three of the last four seasons, the last time the Suns
01:07were under the tax was back in the 2021-22 season.
01:12Let's look at the players moving on.
01:14Nick Richards was acquired last season for Josh Okogie and three second-round picks.
01:19This year he averaged 3.2 points and 3.3 rebounds.
01:23In the 2024-25 season with Phoenix, over 36 games and 34 starts, he provided a physical
01:30interior presence, averaging 9.5 points and 8.6 rebounds per game.
01:36However, under first-year coach Jordan Ott, Richards lost his rotation spot behind starting
01:41center Mark Williams.
01:42And, with the emergence of second-year pro Oso Iguodaro, Nigel Hayes Davis signed as a
01:48free agent after playing overseas since 2018 but couldn't secure a consistent role, averaging
01:537.2 minutes in 27 appearances this season.
01:57Now, what are the Suns getting?
01:59They're bringing in Cole Anthony, a 25-year-old combo guard.
02:03Anthony spent his entire career with the Orlando Magic until this season, with career averages
02:08of 12.0 points and 3.8 assists, John Gambadoro has suggested Anthony might be a buyout candidate.
02:15This season, he's averaged 6.7 points and 3.5 assists on 42.4% shooting in 15.1 minutes
02:22per game across 35 games.
02:24The other addition is Amir Coffey.
02:26The 28-year-old averaged a career-high 9.7 points per game last season with the Los Angeles
02:32Clippers.
02:32This season with the Bucs, he's averaged 8.8 minutes per game.
02:36So, what did the Suns really get in this package?
02:39They checked a major financial box by getting under the tax.
02:43Basketball-wise, they added some proven rotation players in Anthony and Coffey.
02:47The move was expected for Richards, given the salary situation and his reduced role.
02:52Now questions remain, do the Suns keep both Anthony and Coffey?
02:56They don't have to release either.
02:58Even if Anthony is bought out, Coffey adds depth to the bench.
03:01Gambadoro also notes this sets the Suns up to potentially offer a standard contract,
03:06to Jamaree Bouyea, as they still have an open roster spot.
03:10Cole Anthony, the 15th overall pick in 2020, has been a double-digit scorer and starter in
03:16this league, though his lack of an above-average 3-point shot has defined his offensive role.
03:22Amir Coffey brings more size and reliability.
03:25Having started 13 games and averaged near-double figures for the Clippers last season while shooting
03:3140.9% from 3-point range, this move could impact the outlook for players like Jamaree Bouyea and
03:37Jordan Goodwin, who have been solid. But from another angle, it's a financially motivated move
03:42that adds insurance pieces. Coach Jordan Ott can maintain his rotations as is, with Anthony and
03:48Coffey providing options in case of injury or if performance dictates a change. As for Nick Richards,
03:54he lands in Chicago following this expanded trade, there, with Nikola Vucevic already traded to
04:00Boston. He should have an opportunity for decent playing time. So, Suns fans, a trade driven by
04:05finances and fit, what's your immediate take on these new additions to the roster?
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