Kevin Durant speaks for first time on Suns’ newly traded 7-foot Jamaican big man 

On Wednesday, the Phoenix Suns acquired Jamaican-born big man Nick Richards from the Charlotte Hornets. The move gives Phoenix some breathing room when it comes to their tax bill this season while providing Kevin Durant and Co. much-needed frontcourt depth amid Jusuf Nurkic's struggles.

With Durant and the Suns 11th in the Western Conference, half a game behind the 10th-place Golden State Warriors, the expectation is that Richards will give the team a lift heading into the midway point of the season.

Richards is averaging 8.9 points, on 56.1% shooting, along with 7.5 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game this season. Durant is excited to see what he can bring to the Suns.

AZ Central's Duane Rankin spoke with the superstar forward about the addition of Richards and what his gritty interior play means for the team as they look to move up the standings.

“He’s a strong presence in the paint, a big body that can wreak havoc down there and cause some problems with his rim protection," Durant said on Thursday.

"Getting his hands on the basketball on the offensive glass and then finishing above the rim. It’s something we all have to get better at as a group. Hopefully, he leads us in that area. Just controlling the paint.”

Kevin Durant wishes Josh Okogie well following Suns-Hornets trade for Nick Richards

While the Suns acquired Nick Richards from the Hornets along with a second-round pick, the team parted ways with Josh Okogie and three second-round picks.

Although Okogie only played 14.0 minutes per game this season, his hard work and his tenacity made him a player who was respected not only by fans but also by Kevin Durant.

Following Wednesday's trade, Durant spoke with Duane Rankin about the impact Okogie's exit will have on the team and wished him well in Charlotte.

“I really appreciated how Josh approached the game and his love for his teammates," Durant said. I wish him the best. I’m sure we’ll cross paths again. He’s a great teammate, but I’m looking forward to having Nick on the team."

The big question following the Suns' trade for Richards is whether the move will be the only one Phoenix makes before the trade deadline. Although the acquisition of Richards is expected to bolster the team's frontcourt, the consensus is that the Suns need at least one more piece.

Despite the three-headed monster of Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal, with the Western Conference as competitive as ever, it may take more than added frontcourt depth to make Phoenix a legitimate postseason threat.