Suns Have 2 Tradable NBA Draft Picks After Richards Trade amid Jimmy Butler Rumors

The Phoenix Suns, who have been linked to Jimmy Butler, do not have a lot of trade assets in the form of draft picks moving forward.

ESPN's Shams Charania reported Wednesday the Suns acquired big man Nick Richards and a second-round pick from the Charlotte Hornets in exchange for Josh Okogie and three second-round picks.

As a result of moving the three second-round picks and getting one back in return, ESPN's Bobby Marks noted the Suns now only have their own 2031 first-round pick and the Denver Nuggets' 2025 second-round pick that they can move in a future deal.

That will, in theory, make it all the more difficult to land someone like Butler.

Still, the idea of Phoenix potentially trading for the six-time All-Star is nothing new, as NBA insider Jake Fischer previously reported it was "the destination Butler desires on the other side of his standoff with the [Miami] Heat."

What's more, NBA insider Marc Stein also previously reported the Suns were "widely regarded as the team most interested in trading for Butler."

However, Stein also noted Miami wasn't exactly interested in trading Butler for the 2031 first-round pick and Bradley Beal, and even that move would require Beal waiving his no-trade clause.

Making a deal happen for Butler will be anything but easy for the Suns given their lack of enticing assets.

At least they now have an impact player to add to the frontcourt in Richards. He is averaging 8.9 points, 7.5 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game while shooting 56.1 percent from the field this season and should bolster the Suns on both ends of the floor.