Sources: Suns get Richards in trade with Hornets

The Phoenix Suns added some much-needed frontcourt help Wednesday, acquiring center Nick Richards from the Charlotte Hornets for guard Josh Okogie in a trade that includes multiple draft picks, sources told ESPN's Shams Charania.

The Suns also received a second-round pick from the Hornets, who acquired three second-round picks in the deal, sources told Charania.

The 7-foot Richards is averaging 8.9 points and 7.5 rebounds in 21 games this season, his fifth with the Hornets. He has been even more productive in his nine starts this season, averaging 11.3 points, 10.2 rebounds and 1.7 blocks in those contests.

Richards, 27, will join a Suns team that is on the periphery of the playoff Western Conference picture and has been shorthanded in the frontcourt.

Veteran center Jusuf Nurkic was relegated to a bench role earlier this month and has missed Phoenix's last four games. The Suns have officially listed Jurkic as dealing with an illness, but the 11-year veteran has been the subject of numerous trade rumors since being removed from the starting lineup.

Mason Plumlee and rookie Oso Ighodoro played the majority of the center minutes Tuesday, but the Suns also were forced to play smaller lineups in their loss to the Atlanta Hawks.

Okogie, 26, has played primarily as a reserve this season, his third with the Suns. The seven-year veteran is averaging 6.0 points and 2.9 rebounds in 25 games.