Hornets acquire Jusuf Nurkic from Suns in three-player deal

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.

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 Jan. 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 $19.375M. 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 $8.68M salary for next season is non-guaranteed and Micic has a team option worth $8.1M. The Suns have a roster opening, so they can complete the two-for-one trade without another move.

The 2026 first-rounder heading to Charlotte was one of three picks that Phoenix recently acquired from Utah. It will be the least favorable of first-round picks involving the Suns, Magic, Grizzlies and Wizards.

The second-round pick that Phoenix will receive is the least favorable between the Warriors and Nuggets, according to ESPN's Bobby Marks.