PHOENIX – The Phoenix Suns make first move at the 2026 NBA trade deadline, trading for some bench scoring. General manager Brian Gregory shipped off Nick Richards and Nigel Hayes-Davis to the Milwaukee Bucks for Cole Anthony and Amir Coffey, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania. The move doesn’t just provide the roster some dynamic scoring off the bench, but saves the team some money off its tax bill.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Phoenix is $2.2 million below the tax and can sign a 15th player, likely waiting till the Buyout market begins before making that decision.
Jan 23, 2026; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks guard Cole Anthony (50) walks the ball up court during the second quarter against the Denver Nuggets at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
Suns make first move at deadline:
Richards had only appeared in 28 games this season. After the selection of Khaman Maluach, the 28-year-old’s time in the Valley seemed number. His 9.1 minutes a game is the lowest average since the 2021-2022 season, but will go to Milwaukee where he will likely get a bigger role behind starter Myles Turner.
Oct 29, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns center Nick Richards (2) against the Memphis Grizzlies at the Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Anthony is averaging career lows in three-point shooting percentage (30.7%) and points (6.7). He hasn’t found his footing with the Bucks this season, but in head coach Jordan Ott’s system could reignite his dynmaic scoring into being a double-digit scorer if given the same role he had with the Orlando Magic.
Coffey slides into the Hayes-Davis roles of being a wing reserve that can come in and provide length if need be. The 28-year-old appeared in 30 games this season, averaging 2.4 points.
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Reporter Tanner Tortorella covers general assignment for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @TannerTSports
