Nick Richards has been excluded from the starting lineup—and not for Mark Williams or Khaman Maluach.
The Phoenix Suns have made a bold statement that Nick Richards is no longer in their plans moving forward. He's received minutes during the preseason, but he's been kept out of the starting lineup—and not in an attempt to prioritize Khaman Maluach or Mark Williams.
With Oso Ighodaro starting both preseason games at center, and both Maluach and Williams likely to command major minutes, Richards' fate has been sealed—and the Los Angeles Lakers can capitalize.