A mock trade idea for Jusuf Nurkic that actually suits both sides

Of all the players the Phoenix Suns have on their roster, center Jusuf Nurkic is the one player that fans wish they could move on from the most. It's not that he hasn't given his all since landing in The Valley last summer - he's actually remained remarkably healthy during that period too - it's just that his all isn't good enough if you're trying to contend for a championship.

So while fans love to make up trade scenarios involving Nurkic, there's two real issues with doing so. The first is that he doesn't have much value around the league, and the Suns wouldn't get what they need back in a deal. The second is the fact they're a second apron team, although that doesn't make certain types of trades impossible.

It took some digging, but we think we've found a mock trade that works.

Given that Nurkic has proven now that he can't help a contender get any better, that narrows the list of trade partners down to rebuilding teams. There aren't a ton of them in the NBA right now - and even less who want to bring Nurkic back when his current contract runs out - but there's a couple who could be swayed by the little draft capital the Suns have.

Enter the Charlotte Hornets. If you've paid attention to them this season, you'll know they're going to struggle to make the play-in tournament, but on certain nights they're frisky and fun. They have a much more difficult question regarding LaMelo Ball as well, and perhaps building instead around Brandon Miller and even Tre Mann. Which makes this deal possible for both sides.

We know what you're thinking, that Suns' first rounder in 2031 could be extremely valuable. You would be correct, but how desperate are you to jettison Nurkic to the East? He's got one more year on his deal after this one - at over $19 million - and at that point will be an expiring that nobody is likely to have interest in renting.

Grant Williams does have two years left on his contract after this one, but at nearly $5 million less than Nurkic each season. He's in that Grayson Allen/Royce O'Neale range, and the introduction of him to this roster could make one of those three expendable. Suns fans wouldn't be thrilled to have Williams, but he would be another wing to add to their rotation when Beal is inevitably injured.

The thought process behind Mark Williams is much more sound, albeit risky. He's only 222-years-old - the same age as Suns' rookie Oso Ighodaro - although he is now in his third season in the league. The real downside though is in the fact he's yet to play this season as a result of a foot injury, although the hope is that he'll make his debut soon.

Williams is just as injury-prone as Nurkic, but he's eight years younger and on a rookie deal. It's not really about the center Williams panning out long-term - although that would obviously be fantastic - but more about ditching Nurkic and getting a second player back in Grant Williams who would be easier to flip down the road.

The Suns would then have a center rotation of Mason Plumlee, Williams and Ighodaro - and although that is shallow - the buyout market could yield some success. If they're really stuck, the team could always call up Frank Kaminsky from the G League, while Jahlil Okafor at 28 is still out their grinding himself.

Is this a perfect solution? Far from it, and the Suns could be real losers if they're not contending in 2031 and really need the pick they've handed to the Hornets. But something needs to be done about this Nurkic problem, and the Hornets are one of the few teams who look like they're in a position where they could take him.