Phoenix Suns trading 7-footer Jusuf Nurkic after short-lived run: Sources
The Phoenix Suns are trading Jusuf Nurkic to Charlotte to end a tumultuous, short-lived run, sources confirmed Thursday afternoon with the Arizona Republic right before Thursday's NBA trade deadline.
ESPN's Shams Charania reported late Thursday morning the Suns are trading Nurkic and a 2026 first-round pick to the Charlotte Hornets for 6-6 forward Cody Martin, 6-3 guard Vasilije Micic and a 2026 second-round pick.
run that began with landing him in a three-team deal that sent Deandre Ayton to Portland and Damian Lillard to Milwaukee right before training camp of the 2023-24 season.
The Suns have been trying to deal Nurkic for weeks, but were having a tough time having a team take on his four-year, $70-million contract that's in its third year.
The deal comes as Thursday's 1 p.m. (MST) trade deadline nears.
Nurkic came into this season optimistic about being more involved under new head coach Mike Budenholzer after playing for Frank Vogel last season. Dropping weight in the offseason, Nurkic looked to attempt more 3s, but he started the season 1-of-11 from deep. Add his struggles to finish around the basket and being a liability at times on defense, Nurkic fell out of the starting lineup starting Jan. 6 at Philadelphia. Mason Plumlee became the starter.
Budenholzer later didn't play him in two games before Nurkic missed four games with the flu.
The Suns traded Josh Okogie and three second-round picks to Charlotte for 7-footer Nick Richards and a second-round selection. Richards became the starting center in his second game with the Suns after posting 21 points and 11 rebounds in his Suns debut on Jan. 18 at Detroit.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Suns trade Jusuf Nurkic to Charlotte Hornets after short-lived run
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