Who is Nick Richards? Evaluating the career trajectory of Charlotte Hornets center on his way to becoming a 2nd-round steal

After being drafted 42nd back in 2020, big man Nick Richards didn’t receive many opportunities over his first two seasons with the Charlotte Hornets. He averaged just 2.4 points, 1.4 rebounds and 0.3 blocks per game in just 6.3 minutes per game over 68 games played.

However, Richards has now taken a huge leap forward to start his third season. His progress has many questioning whether he could be the Hornets’ starting center in the future.

Through three games this season, Richards currently averages 15.0 points, 9.0 rebounds and 0.7 blocks per game on 69.2% from the field. On Sunday, Richards had the best game of his career in the Hornets' 126-109 blowout win over the Atlanta Hawks. He finished with a career-high 20 points, 11 rebounds and two blocks on perfect 9-for-9 shooting while leading the Hornets in plus-minus at +25.

Per NBA.com this marked the most attempts without a miss by a Charlotte player since Derrick Brown went 10-of-10 back in 2012. Overall, Richards’ energy around the rim was infectious and a huge reason the shorthanded Hornets were able to win.

This may be the first time Nick Richards has contributed consistently at the NBA level. However, Richards also had a very productive junior year in college for the Kentucky Wildcats back in the 2019-20 season.

In 31 games, he averaged 14.0 points, 7.8 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per game on 64.2% shooting in 29.6 minutes per game. As an athletic defensive-minded 7-footer he earned comparisons to veteran NBA big men such as JaVale McGee and Willie Cauley-Stein.

As his minutes continue to rise for the Hornets it’s not hard to envision Richards developing into that type of role for Charlotte.

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Can Nick Richards become the Charlotte Hornets' starting center this season?

Charlotte Hornets big man Nick Richards and All-Star guard LaMelo Ball

Nick Richards is currently splitting minutes with veteran starting big man Mason Plumlee. The two big men are currently both averaging 22.7 minutes per game after three games. However, Richards is clearly on the up-swing while Plumlee is trending down.

The Hornets may be off to a surprising 2-1 start without LaMelo Ball, but at some point this season they will probably transition to tanking. When they do, Plumlee at 32 years old is likely to be traded at the trade deadline or benched in favor of 24-year-old Richards.

If Nick Richards gets the opportunity to prove himself as a starter in a developmental season for the Hornets, he could run away with it. Regardless of whether Richards starts or not, it looks like the Charlotte Hornets have found themselves with a second-round draft steal.