5 teams that could steal Josh Richardson from the Pelicans

1. Phoenix Suns

Since trading Mikal Bridges and Cameron Johnson to Brooklyn in exchange for Kevin Durant, the Suns desperately need wings who can defend and shoot threes. Tory Craig and Josh Okogie became the main options for that once Durant arrived in Phoenix. That blew a huge hole into the Suns’ supply of reserves, though, leaving them with a lack of rotational players.

Richardson could add depth and scoring to the Suns’ wing rotation as well as to a diminished bench. Cameron Payne was the Suns’ only bench player to average double-digits. After the trade and in the playoffs, the Suns’ bench averaged the second-fewest points per game and made the second-fewest three-pointers. To be a true contender, they need a stronger bench and supporting cast around Devin Booker and Durant.

The only problem is that Richardson might be too expensive for Phoenix. If they do not lose some salary in Chris Paul or Deandre Ayton trades, the Suns cannot offer Richardson as much as he made with his last contract. Since he has other suitors, too, there is no reason for him to sign for less. After the Suns struggled in the playoffs and couldn’t make it past the second round, trades involving Paul or Ayton are not entirely impossible, though. If they end up getting the necessary salary, Richardson would be a nice piece to pair with Booker and Durant.