The Phoenix Suns made the trade that everyone has been waiting for — and, no, we're not talking about Jimmy Butler. He's with the Warriors after a race that the Suns had to bow out of because of Bradley Beal's no-trade clause. We're talking about Jusuf Nurkic.
The 30-year-old center is gone nearly a month after he played what turned out to be his final game with Phoenix. ESPN's Shams Charania reported that the Suns sent Nurkic and a 2026 first-round pick to Charlotte 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
The first-round pick the Suns sent to the Hornets is one of the three they acquired from the Jazz a few weeks ago in a move everyone thought would help Phoenix get Butler.
The Hornets are receiving the 2026 least favorable first of Phoenix, Washington (if 1-8), Orlando and Memphis.
— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) February 6, 2025
The Suns are receiving the 2026 least favorable Golden St. or Denver second.
Phoenix is allowed to trade the 2026 first because they acquired a 2025 and 2027 first in… https://t.co/aT1B5AU3kn
Everyone knew that Nurkic was out the door, especially after he was benched in early January. Unfortunately, everyone also knew it'd take an asset to move off of him.
Shams just needs to tweet that the only Suns move is Nurkic and a first rounder for some mid player and put us out of our misery.
— Mike Vigil (@protectedpick) February 5, 2025
There's no way around it: The September 2023 trade for Nurkic was a terrible move from Phoenix's front office.
Knicks trade Jusuf Nurkic to Hornets in deal involving Cody Martin
Phoenix will now have to waive a player, which could be Micic (he has an $8.1 million team option next season). The 31-year-old averaged 7.5 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 3.5 assists in Charlotte this season, shooting 34.8% from the field and 36% from three. Micic isn't the main player in this deal for the Suns.
The biggest piece of this trade is Martin, who should be a good rotational piece for the Suns. The 29-year-old wing spent the first five and a half seasons of his career in Charlotte. He averaged 7.8 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game in 39 contests with the Hornets this season, shooting 43.3% from the field and 32.3% from three.
Martin has an $8.7 million non-guaranteed salary, so he and Micic could both be gone by next season, saving the Suns a chunk of change in today's CBA world.
It's unfortunate for fans that Phoenix is in the position it is in, worrying more about financial implications than being in a position to win a championship. But it is what it is. The vibe isn't high in PHX.