Phoenix Suns Execute Strategic NBA Trade Deadline Move with Milwaukee Bucks
The Phoenix Suns have made a calculated roster adjustment ahead of the 2026 NBA trade deadline, completing a significant four-player exchange with the Milwaukee Bucks. This transaction is designed to bolster the Suns' playoff aspirations while simultaneously addressing financial constraints.
Trade Details and Player Movement
In this strategic swap, the Phoenix Suns have acquired guard Cole Anthony and wing Amir Coffey from the Milwaukee Bucks. In return, the Bucks receive center Nick Richards and forward Nigel Hayes-Davis. All players involved are on expiring contracts, which grants both franchises enhanced flexibility for future roster construction.
Cole Anthony's Role and Impact on the Phoenix Suns
Cole Anthony, originally selected as the No. 15 overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, joins the Suns after serving in a backup capacity with the Bucks this season. His current averages include 6.7 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game, with shooting percentages of 42.4% from the field and 30.6% from beyond the three-point arc.
In Phoenix, Anthony is expected to operate as a reserve guard behind primary options such as Collin Gillespie and Jordan Goodwin. His addition injects valuable ball-handling skills and secondary playmaking abilities into the Suns' bench unit. This move is anticipated to alleviate the physical burden on the team's core rotation players during the intense final stretch of the regular season.
Impact on the Milwaukee Bucks
For the Milwaukee Bucks, this trade introduces frontcourt depth with the acquisition of Nick Richards and Nigel Hayes-Davis. Richards, who has seen limited action in Phoenix, averages 3.2 points and 3.3 rebounds per game while shooting 49.3% from the field in a reserve role. Hayes-Davis, a former standout at Wisconsin, has contributed minimally with averages of 1.3 points and 1.2 rebounds per game.
Amir Coffey, who joined Milwaukee as a free agent last summer, departs after averaging 2.4 points in sparse minutes. The Bucks gain a potential rim protector and rebounding upgrade in Richards, strengthening their interior defense as they navigate their own playoff trajectory.
Strategic Rationale Behind the Suns' Decision
The Phoenix Suns have exceeded preseason expectations this year, maintaining a competitive stance in the Western Conference playoff race with a record of 31-20. This trade serves a dual purpose: enhancing roster depth and achieving financial relief.
By moving Nick Richards and his approximately $5 million salary, the Suns successfully drop below the luxury tax threshold. This maneuver generates approximately $2.2 million in immediate financial relief and creates a potential $5 million trade exception for future transactions. Both Anthony and Coffey, also on expiring contracts, provide immediate rotational support without imposing long-term financial commitments.
This low-profile yet impactful swap aligns perfectly with the Suns' methodical approach to roster optimization. It delivers essential guard insurance and fiscal breathing room as the organization prepares for a potential deep postseason run in the highly competitive Western Conference.
