Suns Reportedly Want to Add 'Starting-Level Center' amid NBA Trade, Free Agency Rumors

The Phoenix Suns are looking to add a "starting-level center" this offseason as they aim to bounce back from a disappointing 36-46 season that ended with the team finishing in 11th place, per Jake Fischer for the Stein Line newsletter.

"One roster rumble that has emerged from the desert: Sources say that Phoenix, whether or not Durant is ultimately dealt before training camp, will be prioritizing the addition of a starting-level center this offseason," Fischer wrote.

"The Suns want a further upgrade on the move they made during the season to deal away Jusuf Nurkić and replace him with Nick Richards via Charlotte."

The Suns news comes amid questions on whether Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal will even be on the team next season. Phoenix is under new leadership with general manager Brian Gregory now running the show, and when asked about that in his introductory press conference, he gave the following answer:

So it's unclear at the moment whether Durant and Beal will return. But it is apparent the Suns need to do something different after a brutal campaign. Simply put, the Suns had championship expectations when they formed a new big three with Durant, Beal and Devin Booker in the summer of 2023, but that has resulted in zero playoff wins. A 49-33 record in 2023-24 led to a No. 6 seed but a first-round sweep at the hands of the Minnesota Timberwolves.

As far as the center position goes, Phoenix made a switch last year, benching Jusuf Nurkić before eventually trading him to the Charlotte Hornets in February. One month prior, the Suns added Nick Richards from the Hornets in a separate deal, and he became the team's starting big man down the stretch.

Richards is under contract for just one more year at $5 million, per Spotrac, so the Suns still need to figure out what to do at center long-term. That appears to be the plan based on the Fischer report as Phoenix looks to rebound quickly under Gregory.