Suns & Hornets Talking Trade, Names Exchanged

The Phoenix Suns continue to find themselves on the outside looking in at the playoff picture in the NBA as they sit in 11th spot in the Western Conference heading into Sunday's games. There have been lineup changes, including the benching of two starters, Bradley Beal and Jusuf Nurkic, and rumors of a desire to bring in Jimmy Butler.

In the meantime, the Suns are currently also active in trade talks on other fronts, engaged in negotiations with the Charlotte Hornets.

Source: The Suns and Hornets have held preliminary trade discussions that would send Jusuf Nurkic and second-round picks for Nick Richards.

Phoenix has removed Nurkic from the rotation as they seek a trade.

Charlotte would send another player alongside Richards in the deal. pic.twitter.com/bp0Wh3bcht
— Evan Sidery (@esidery) January 12, 2025

Insider Evan Sidery reports that the deal would send Nurkic and second-round picks to Charlotte for Nick Richards and an as-yet-unnamed player.

Nurkic has been completely removed from the Phoenix rotation for the past couple of games, indicating that a trade could be imminent, whether with the Hornets or another team. He's averaging 8.6 points per game and 9.2 rebounds.

Can confirm that Jusuf Nurkic has unfollowed both Devin Booker and Kevin Durant on Instagram.

Take that info as you will.
— Zona (@AZSportsZone) January 12, 2025

Richards is a 7-foot center averaging 9.2 points, 7.7 boards, and 1.3 blocked shots in just 21 minutes a game with Charlotte this season. He's an athletic big, with a very reasonable contract at just $5 million per year through next season.

The Suns are anxious to unload the $18 million salary of Nurkić that also runs through next season.

Richards had a nice game against Phoenix last week, scoring 15 points and pulling down 12 boards. The two teams face each other again Sunday night.

We'll watch to see if these teams can get this trade over the finish line.