Bucks trade Anthony to Suns as part of 3-team deal

The Milwaukee Bucks traded Cole Anthony and Amir Coffey to the Phoenix Suns in exchange for Nick Richards and Nigel Hayes-Davis, the teams announced Thursday.

Shortly afterward, the teams expanded the initial swap to include the Chicago Bulls, with Ousmane Dieng off to Milwaukee, while Richards landed with Chicago.

The Bucks have reportedly indicated to other teams that they're keeping Giannis Antetokounmpo through the trade deadline and will begin making other deals.

Milwaukee signed Anthony during the offseason after he reached a buyout agreement with the Memphis Grizzlies.

The North Carolina product averaged 6.7 points on 42.4% shooting across 35 appearances this season.

In a separate transaction Wednesday, the Oklahoma City Thunder dealt Dieng to the Charlotte Hornets, who then traded him to the Bulls. The 6-foot-9 forward tallied 4.2 points per contest in 136 appearances over four seasons with the defending NBA champs.

Coffey's had a minimal role with the Bucks after signing a one-year deal over the summer. He averaged 2.4 points in 8.8 minutes over 30 games.

Meanwhile, Richards had fallen out of the Suns' rotation this season after starting 34 contests during the previous campaign. His last appearance was Jan. 13 versus the Miami Heat.

Hayes-Davis returned to the NBA this season following seven years overseas. He registered 1.3 points and 1.2 rebounds per contest in 27 games for Phoenix.

The Suns are now $2.2 million below the luxury tax and have room to sign a 15th player, according to ESPN's Bobby Marks.

Phoenix is under the luxury tax for the first time since the 2021-22 campaign, adds Marks.