Jusuf Nurkic traded from Suns to Hornets

On By Littum

Phoenix Suns Agree to Handle Center Jusuf Nurkic to Charlotte Hornets, Espns Shams Charania reported Thursday prior to the deadline at.

Suns received the Serbian guard Vasilije Micic, Lille Forward Cody Martin and another year with 2026 in exchange for the 30-year-old center and a 2026 first round.

Nurkic has another year back on his current deal. He earns $ 18.1 million this season and is ready to earn $ 19.4 million in 2025-26.

Following Nurkic’s three-game pension for a scrub with Dallas Mavericks Frem Naji Marshall on December 27, the Bosnian big man was moved out of the starting lineup and came from the bench to Phoenix in two matches. It was the first time since the 2016-17 season Nurkic came from the bench.

Nurkic then did not play at all over the next two matches due to a coach’s decision. He had not missed a game without a damage designation or suspension since his arrival in Phoenix before the 2023-24 season. Later, he missed on January 12 -fight due to an illness and missed the next six games while out with the flu. When he returned, he continued to sit on the bench.

Mason Plumlee replaced Nurkic in Suns’ starting lineup, and Rookie Big Man Oso Ighodaro received an uptick of minutes in the middle of Suns without Nurkic.

Phoenix traded for Big-Man help in the form of Nick Richards on January 15 and sent Josh Okogie and three drafts of the second round to Hornets. Suns also took a Denver Nugget’s second round back in the upcoming draft as part of the trade.

Suns had only another second round (via Denver) and a first round in 2031, which remained after the Richards trade, but treated the latter to the Utah jazz for the first three rounds, which is heavily weighed in the value of pick swaps.

Jusuf Nurkics Suns -Embed Period in Review

In September 2023, Phoenix Nurkic acquired in a multi-team deal that sent Damian Lillard to Milwaukee Bucks and Deandre Ayton to Portland Trail Blazers. He was billed as a more physical center than his predecessor, who could also operate the offense as a passerby in the high post.

During his first season in the valley, Nurkic started 76 games for Suns and average 10.9 points, 11.0 rebounds and 4.0 assists while shooting 51% off the field.

But this season has been another story for the 7-foot under the new head coach Mike Budenholzer. He first missed 10 games due to finger and ankle injuries before missing more time for the suspension with three games after a tussle with Marshall. Then came the subsequent bench and flu.

He has an average of 8.6 points on 45.4% shooting, both his lowest grades since his season 2016-17 in Portland.

Suns also carried one Minus-6.5 Net assessment While Nurkic was on the floor this season. Last season maintained Suns one Plus-9.2 Net assessment with nurkic on the floor.

Richards has taken over as a starting center, and in 10 games he has an average of 8.9 points, 10.0 rebounds and O.8 blocks per day. Battle while shooting 57.4% off the floor. He has a -2.9 net assessment.

Who Suns added

Micic is 31 years old and in his second NBA season after playing abroad. In 36 games this season, MICIC has an average of 7.5 points, 3.5 assists and 2.4 rebounds per year. Battle while shooting 34.8% from the floor and 36% from deep.

He competed for teams Serbia at Paris -ol with Nikola Jokic.

Martin, 29, is a six-year-old veteran who has played 39 games this year. He has an average of 7.8 points 2.3 assists and 4.5 rebounds per day. Fight and shoot 43.3% off the field and 32.2% from deep.

MICIC has a team of $ 8.1 million for next year. Martin has a hit of $ 8.7 million, but his contract is not guaranteed.