Chicago Brought in Richards for Frontcourt Depth
The Bulls acquired Nick Richards from the Phoenix Suns in February 2026, sending Ousmane Dieng onward to Milwaukee in an expanded three-club transaction. Richards was a physically imposing center with NBA rebounding and finishing experience, giving Chicago another option around the rim. His strengths were different from Dieng's developing forward profile, allowing the Bulls to address a more immediate interior role. Richards wasn't acquired as a guaranteed All-Star, but he could supply minutes at a position with well-defined defensive responsibilities.
Milwaukee Added Dieng and Hayes-Davis
The Bucks obtained Dieng from Chicago and Nigel Hayes-Davis from Phoenix. Dieng was a young forward with a blend of size, ball skills and unfinished NBA potential; Hayes-Davis had substantial professional experience outside a typical NBA developmental pathway. Together they gave Milwaukee two distinct forwards to evaluate. Neither arrival automatically solved the club's postseason rotation, but the two-player return provided roster options beyond the single player shown in the incomplete Chicago-side import.
Phoenix Received a Guard and a Wing
The Suns obtained Cole Anthony and Amir Coffey from Milwaukee, receiving actual NBA perimeter players rather than serving as an asset-free administrative participant. Anthony offered ball handling and offense in reserve-guard lineups, while Coffey could contribute wing size and shooting. Phoenix surrendered Richards and Hayes-Davis to make the agreement work, exchanging frontcourt assets for perimeter depth. The team would still need to determine playing roles, but both incoming players were tangible rather than speculative draft rights.
The Inherited Bucks Advantage Relies on Two Options
Milwaukee earns A- under the inherited grading for acquiring Dieng and Hayes-Davis. Chicago's B reflects the immediate role Richards could fill, while Phoenix's C recognizes its decision to accept Anthony and Coffey. That low Phoenix grade shouldn't be confused with receiving nothing. A three-team evaluation needs to acknowledge every club's real incoming assets, the different positions addressed and the fact that the eventual rotation results weren't guaranteed when the trade became official.
Final Verdict
Bucks Win. Milwaukee earns A- for the combined forward options of Ousmane Dieng and Nigel Hayes-Davis. Chicago gets B for veteran center Nick Richards and his rebounding presence. Phoenix receives C for Cole Anthony and Amir Coffey, two actual perimeter players acquired from Milwaukee. The original Bucks edge values its two-player package, though the broader trade provided usable NBA options for all three teams.