The Phoenix Suns have acquired former Jamaica College center Nick Richards from the Charlotte Hornets in exchange for guard Josh Okogie and three second-round picks.

Richards, who is in the second year of a three-year deal worth $15 million, is averaging 8.9 points, 7.5 rebounds and 1.2 blocks in 21 minutes per game this season.

He is expected to compete to become the starter at center for the Suns, who have primarily played Mason Plumlee and rookie Oso Ighodaro in recent weeks. Veteran center Jusuf Nurkic is currently sidelined due to the flu, but was moved to the bench for back-to-back games on Jan. 6-7 before being taken out of Phoenix’s rotation completely

Richards, who has spent all five of his NBA seasons with the Hornets, was drafted by Charlotte in the second round of the 2020 NBA Draft from the University of Kentucky and will help a Suns team that ranks 25th in average rebounds per game and third-worst for offensive boards.

The seven-footer this season started nine games for the 8-28 Hornets, averaging 11.3 points, 10.2 rebounds and 1.7 blocks in those contests. He’s shot 65% from the field over the last four seasons, fifth-best in the NBA during that span (min. 800 attempts).

In Phoenix the 27 year old joins a team that includes the likes of Kevin Duran, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal and who are also actively trying to acquire six-time All Star Jimmy Butler from the Miami Heat.