The Phoenix Suns have been involved in plenty of trade rumors in recent days, most notably with Kevin Durant’s name being tossed around.
Ahead of the deadline on Thursday at 3 p.m. ET, the Suns made a big trade, deadling away center Jusuf Nurkic to the Charlotte Hornets.
“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.”
Phoenix Suns center Jusuf Nurkic (20) walks off the court after being punched by Dallas Mavericks forward Naji Marshall (not pictured) at Footprint Center.
© Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Nurkic’s name had been involved in trade discussions for some time, and now the Suns move on from him.
A recent report mentioned the Atlanta Hawks as one team involved in trade discussions for Nurkic.
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
However, with the Los Angeles Lakers acquiring Mark Williams from the Hornets on Wednesday night, Charlotte needed a big man.
Moreover, the Suns get some big financial relief, as pointed out by Yossi Gozlan.
By trading Jusuf Nurkic for Cody Martin and Vasilije, the Phoenix Suns get:
🟣$120+ million in savings over the 2024-25 and 2025-26 seasons (if they don’t keep Martin and Micic next season)
🟣$40 million in savings this season between this and the Nick Richards trade— Yossi Gozlan (@YossiGozlan) February 6, 2025
Nurkic was suspended earlier in the season for three games after getting in a fight in a game against the Dallas Mavericks.
After he returned from suspension, Nurkic came off the bench.
Before the 2023-24 season, Nurkic was traded from the Portland Trail Blazers in a three-team deal that also saw the Suns send center Deandre Ayton to Portland.
This season, Nurkic had played in just 25 games for the Suns, averaging 8.6 points with 9.2 rebounds.
The next question for the Suns is whether or not Durant will be moved before the deadline.