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Utah Jazz-Charlotte Hornets Execute Big Trade On Eve Of 2025 NBA Free Agency

Originally posted on Total Apex Sports | By Justin Rimpi | Last updated Jun 29, 2025 3:43 PM ET

The Utah Jazz traded Guard Colin Sexton and a 2030 second-round pick to the Charlotte Hornets in exchange for Center Jusuf Nurkic. The news was first reported by ESPN NBA insider Shams Charania. Nurkic spent the 2024-25 season with the Phoenix Suns and Charlotte Hornets. The veteran center had a strong season as a contributor to both squads.

Sexton, a good young scorer, averaged 18.4 points per game for a Utah Jazz team that actively tried to lose games down the stretch of the regular season. He will look to give the Hornets another jolt of scoring. How will this deal work out for both sides?

Will This Trade Benefit the Utah Jazz and Charlotte Hornets?

Just in: The Utah Jazz are trading Collin Sexton and a 2031 second-round pick to the Charlotte Hornets for Jusuf Nurkic, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/un88aHUIIq

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 29, 2025

This trade can be considered a win-win for the teams. Both sides satisfied a need with Sunday’s acquisition. Sexton was set to be the odd man out in Utah with the team drafting Walter Clayton Jr. in the 2025 NBA Draft. Nurkic enters a center room that includes the talented Walker Kessler. Kessler has been linked to the Los Angeles Lakers for a while. If he ends up being dealt, Nurkic can slide into the lineup as his replacement.

The Charlotte Hornets have shuffled their center position this week. They traded Center Mark Williams during the 2025 NBA Draft. Charlotte replaced Williams with Ryan Kalkbrenner. Sexton will get to play alongside the enigmatic LaMelo Ball. Ball and Sexton will create one of the most exciting guard combinations in the league. Whether or not it will lead to wins, is to be determined.

Final Thoughts

Sexton and Nurkic should be good fits with their new teams next season. Even though that is the case, the Jazz and Hornets are looking at another tough season. These squads are going through a rebuild. Sunday’s trade will not speed up the process.

This article first appeared on Total Apex Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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