Lakers may regret missing out on perfect trade target to rival
Oh, what could’ve been…
The Los Angeles Lakers have had plenty of opportunities to find the interior piece Anthony Davis has been asking for. Since 2023, Davis has expressed a desire to play more at power forward, putting pressure on the front office. Unfortunately, the Lakers overlooked the ideal player to fill this need, and he was instead traded to the Phoenix Suns, where he’s already making the Lakers look bad.
Before joining Phoenix, Richards seemed like the perfect trade target for the Lakers. With a modest $10 million owed between 2024 and 2026, and the Charlotte Hornets prioritizing Mark Williams as their starting center, the Lakers had a great chance to acquire him. However, it was the Suns who made the move, leaving Los Angeles still in search of a solution at center.
Since arriving in Phoenix, Richards has made an immediate impact, starting six of seven games. His performance has been exactly what the Lakers would have wanted, contributing in all the right ways. Richards has even displayed a level of dominance in the paint that the Lakers have only seen from Davis in recent years.
Richards’ performance for the Suns has been impressive in 2024-25, averaging 9.5 points, 8.4 rebounds, 2.5 offensive rebounds, 1.2 assists, and 1.1 blocks in just 22 minutes per game. Those numbers translate to 15.6 points, 13.7 rebounds, 4.1 offensive boards, 1.9 assists, and 1.9 blocks per 36 minutes, highlighting his impressive efficiency.
Richards has shown that his per-36-minute projections aren’t just talk. In his seven games with the Suns, he’s averaging 11.4 points, 11.0 rebounds, 2.9 offensive rebounds, and 0.9 blocks in 25.1 minutes per game. That would make him the fifth-highest scorer, second in rebounding and blocks, and first in offensive boards on the Lakers.
These numbers alone should make the Lakers regret their decision, but it’s the standout performances from Richards that sting the most. In his debut game with the Suns, he posted 21 points, 11 rebounds, and four offensive boards in a win over the Detroit Pistons. In the next game, he recorded eight points, 15 rebounds, and four offensive rebounds in under 22 minutes against the Brooklyn Nets. Just a few games later, he scored 20 points, grabbed 19 rebounds, and blocked a shot in a win over the Washington Wizards, followed by 14 points, 16 rebounds, and two blocks in a victory over the Golden State Warriors.
In Los Angeles, such production has been reserved for Davis alone in recent years. While it may be unrealistic to expect consistent performances from anyone else, Richards has proven himself as an elite rebounder, a strong rim protector, and a valuable player at just $5 million per season. Considering the Suns gave up three second-round picks—and even got one back in the trade—it’s clear the Lakers made a big mistake by letting Richards slip away.
