Nick Smith Jr. is in the midst of a playing time renaissance. The 27th overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft has quickly developed from a seldom used bench guard into a key piece in the Charlotte Hornets’ rotation as a key cog in Charles Lee’s attempts to pull his team's offense out of the league’s basement.

Rival teams have also revealed Charlotte’s willingness to discuss the availability of Nick Smith Jr., who was drafted No. 27 overall in 2023 in what was recorded as the last first-round pick

The Suns are acquiring Nick Richards and a second-round from the Hornets in exchange for Josh Okogie and three second-round picks.

The Phoenix Suns acquired Charlotte Hornets center Nick Richards and a 2025 NBA draft second-round pick on Wednesday in exchange for wing player Josh Okogie and three future second-round NBA draft selections. Richards is averaging 8.9 points per game and 7.5 rebounds per game this season, in 21 minutes of action per game.

The Charlotte Hornets are reportedly willing to discuss the availability of Nick Smith Jr., their 27th overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, according to The Stein Line. Rival teams have disclosed that Charlotte is open to including Smith Jr.

The Charlotte Hornets traded Nick Richards to the Phoenix Suns in a move that was widely panned as a win-win for both sides. Charlotte flipped Richards for an active, defensive-minded wing in Josh Okogie and a handful of future second round draft picks,