It wasn't easy for the Phoenix Suns to trade Jusuf Nurkic with his low value due to his contract and lack of production, but they finally found a suitor in the Hornets. Nurkic might be on the move again this summer, as HoopsHype's Michael Scotto reported that the center could be a trade candidate for Charlotte this offseason.
The Suns sent Nurkic and a 2026 first-round pick to the Hornets before the deadline in exchange for Cody Martin, Vasilije Micic, and a 2026 second-round pick. Phoenix had to attach the first-round pick to Nurkic to move off him. It wasn't ideal, but the Suns needed to eliminate one of their headaches.
Nurkic will be on an expiring contract next season, so Charlotte has that in its favor. However, his salary for 2025-26 is $19.4 million — a number that his production won't come close to matching. Maybe the Hornets will have more luck than they did at the draft lottery (so much for Cooper Flagg staying in the state) and manage to trade Nurkic rather than pay him.
Jusuf Nurkic could be a trade candidate for Hornets this summer
Phoenix acquired Nurkic in 2023 as part of the deal that sent Deandre Ayton and Toumani Camara to Portland. It was a deal that aged poorly for the Suns (one of many). Nurkic spent only one and a half seasons with the Suns and had been out of the rotation for weeks before he was traded to the Hornets. He averaged 9.2 rebounds and 6.5 rebounds per game in Charlotte (26 contests) to close the season.
The 30-year-old hit his peak during his years with the Trail Blazers and has been on a downward spiral since. It's not that he's a terrible option to have on the bench as a backup big, but he isn't worth his contract, especially not in today's world of the CBA. Charlotte could learn that the hard way this summer. Nurkic might still be in North Carolina when next season starts.
The Suns have their work cut out for them this summer, but at least they don't have to worry about finding a trade partner for Nurkic. Those days are over. His contract is the Hornets' problem now.