Lakers can thank Mark Williams for gifting them their dream center

This feels like a very weird twist of events. That Mark Williams trade that wasn't for the Los Angeles Lakers has now come back around and provided the ultimate assist to Rob Pelinka and the front office. Williams is on his way to the Phoenix Suns, creating a logjam that benefits the Lakers.

The Suns are acquiring the young center from the Charlotte Hornets in exchange for the 29th pick in the 2025 NBA Draft and a future first-round selection in 2029. After playing with a depleted frontcourt in 2024-25, Phoenix ensured there would be no repeat of that situation.

The Suns also used the 10th overall pick to select the top center in this year's NBA Draft: Khaman Maluach from the Duke Blue Devils. This now puts Nick Richards into a peculiar spot.

The recently-acquired big man suddenly has two guys in front of him who would both be expected to hold a place over Richards on the depth chart. This could be the opportunity Pelinka was waiting for the fill the void in the frontcourt.

Richards lines up perfectly as a Lakers trade target

It looks as though Richards can never quite escape Williams, can he? The two were teammates on the Hornets before the former was traded to the Suns. Now, they have been reunited. No one should expect this revisited connection to last long.

With the unforeseen abundance of quality center options in Phoenix, Richards is likely on his way out. The Lakers would welcome his skill set with open arms. Luka Doncic would have a field day with having Richards catch lobs for him in Los Angeles.

Pelinka needs to find 48 minutes of quality center play this offseason and the odd man out in the desert is poised to provide a good chunk of that. Richards enjoyed a bigger role with the Suns, getting the opportunity to be a full-time starter. The athletic big man looked solid in that position.

Richards averaged 9.5 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 0.8 blocks in 22.7 minutes per game during his 36 appearances wearing a Suns jersey. The five-year pro accomplished that while shooting 60.5 percent from the field.

Being paired with Doncic would surely allow Richards an opportunity for a career high scoring the basketball. With strong rebounding and serviceable rim protection to boot, the Suns will be on speed dial this summer.