Breaking Trade: Phoenix Suns Send Center Jusuf Nurkic to Eastern Conference

The Phoenix Suns have pulled off a trade as the deadline approaches, dealing center Jusuf Nurkic and a 2026 first-round pick to the Charlotte Hornets for Cody Martin, Vasilije Micic and a 2026 second-round pick.

The Phoenix Suns are trading Jusuf Nurkic and a 2026 first-round pick to the Charlotte Hornets for Cody Martin, Vasilije Micic and a 2026 second-round pick, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/epRJty7lid
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 6, 2025

Nurkic had fallen out of favor earlier this season in Phoenix, and a trade was an inevitability. He hasn't played in a month. His value was at a point where the Suns actually had to attach a first-round pick in order to unload him.

Nurk was averaging a 10-year low 8.6 points per game this season with Phoenix, while playing 23.7 minutes per night, and getting into just 25 games. He still has another season left on his contract at $19 million.

Nick Richards had taken over as the starting center after the Suns pulled off their first trade with Charlotte to acquire him on Jan. 15th. In ten games with them, he's averaged nine points and 10 rebounds.

Meanwhile, the Suns continue to take "aggressive calls" on Kevin Durant from rival teams, per Shams Charania.