10:05 pm: The trade is official, according to a press release from the Hornets.
12:28 pm: The Suns will send Jusuf Nurkic and a 2026 first-round pick to the Hornets in exchange for Cody Martin, Vasilije Micic and a second-rounder in 2026, sources tell Shams Charania of ESPN (Twitter link).
Phoenix has been searching for a taker for Nurkic, who was removed from the starting lineup in early January and hasn’t played at all since January 7. The recent trade for Nick Richards and the emergence of rookie big man Oso Ighodaro made Nurkic expendable.
The 30-year-old center has one season left on his contract at $19.375MM. He expressed skepticism last month that the Suns would be able to move him, but they found a willing trade partner in Charlotte, which was low on centers after agreeing to send Mark Williams to the Lakers late Wednesday night.
The Hornets and Suns discussed Nurkic before finalizing the Richards deal, but they opted to keep him out of the original trade.
Today’s deal provides future flexibility for Phoenix, as Martin’s $8.68MM salary for next season is non-guaranteed and Micic has a team option worth $8.1MM. The Suns have a roster opening, so they can complete the two-for-one trade without another move.
The 2026 first-rounder will include “least favorable” language. If the Wizards’ pick lands in the top eight, they’ll have the opportunity to swap first-rounders with the Suns. The Magic would subsequently have an opportunity to swap their first-rounder for whichever pick Phoenix holds, with the Grizzlies then given the chance to swap their first-rounder for the pick the Suns are left with. Whichever pick is remaining at the end of that series of swaps is the one headed to Charlotte.
The 2026 second-round pick that Phoenix will receive is the least favorable between the Warriors’ and Nuggets’ second-rounders, according to Bobby Marks of ESPN (Twitter link).
I thought
Suns 2026 First had been swapped to Wizards
This first round pick is very complicated. Hornets can’t figure out?
“WAS has the right to swap its 2026 1st round pick, protected for selections 9-30 if WAS does not convey a 1st round pick to NYK in 2025, for PHX’s 2026 1st round pick; ORL then has the right to swap its 2026 1st round pick for the less favorable of the PHX pick and the WAS pick if conveyable; MEM then has the right to swap its 2026 1st round pick for the least / less favorable of the PHX pick, the WAS pick if conveyable and the ORL pick; if the WAS pick is not conveyable, then the commitment to WAS will be lifted and ORL will instead have the right to swap its pick for the PHX pick”
I’m still lost on it but I’m figuring its going to fall at the back of the 1st anyway.
Basically, it’ll be whichever is the worst of the first round picks between Phoenix, Memphis, and Orlando in 2026. Which as you say, will probably be pretty far down in the draft
Well the Hornets do need a center now…Suns better hope they aren’t playing Charlotte this season.
Nurkic better get ready to start catching lobs from LaMelo.
Micic will eventually come back to Europe soon
Ridiculous. CHA has now officially joined the ranks of NBA “teams” having no basketball purpose. Just trying to lose, and use their roster as a clearinghouse.
Silver’s response: Let’s expand, we need more “teams” like this!
Same was being said for okc a couple of years back
So another way to look at it from the hornets perspective is Mark Williams, Cody Martin, and Micic for Dalton Knecht, Jusuf Nurkic and 2 first round picks. That’s not too bad
And a pick swap with the lakers
everyone is getting a first round pick except from the Bulls :(
Well sorry they can’t get everything they want that’s life.
They got it back when they traded Zach LaVine to Sacramento earlier this week.
I wanted an extra 1st for vucevic, that would help tank properly as well
Nurk sent to the most lost NBA franchise….
The Kevin Durant trade with Brooklyn ruined the Suns, who fault is the Suns collapse as the window has close for a championship, they gave up way too much for a 34 year old then KD. They took a big swing at this deal and missed, then missed again on Beal. Now they are left with this trade as a financial trade getting rid of a 18mil contract for two bench players that won’t make a big difference, that won’t be on this team next year. This franchise right now is in bad shape, salary wise, attitude in the locker room, front office who made the deals, and ownership. I say blow it up get what you can get for Durant, Beal, and Booker. They all have some marketability, take a hit for three years, then use the draft capital you get and start building a young team ala OKC, Houston and San Antonio. Building a 3-star team is not working and will not work when the three stars can only play at the same time at a 17% rate a season.
Everyone hating on the hornets I think it’s relatively good business from them.
Obviously they had concerns about Mark Williams health and ability to stay on the floor. He has played well this season and I don think they planned on moving him but when the lakers came calling they thought yeah sure we will grab a pick and pick swap and Dalton Knetch off you.
Then with 24 hours left before the deadline they needed to grab a centre so they ring up the suns who are desperate to get rid of Nurkic and give them two of their bench players and in return get a starter and a first round pick again.
Simply put
Mark Williams for Nurkic and 2 firsts
Cody Martin and Micic for Knetch, Reddish and a pick swap
I’d take both those deals if I’m the hornets.
Now moving forward
LaMelo is your point guard with Mann as back up.
At the 2 is Nick Smith Jr, Knetch and Josh Green.
At the 3 is Miller and behind him Salaun.
At the 4, Bridges and Grant Williams behind him.
With Nurkic at the 5 and Diabate behind him.
Not amazing but tidy looking side, good depth and clear direction of rebuilding team hoping to be competitive.
And a likely top 4 pick next year.
Hey Simmons, thank you for breaking this down and giving me a one stop glimpse at Charlotte’s roster right now. Thanks for putting this together.
Hornets should sign Wiseman if available