The Phoenix Suns have made their first big move of the NBA trade deadline sending center Jusuf Nurkic to the Charlotte Hornets according to ESPN NBA Insider Shams Charania. The deal includes several moving pieces, including Phoenix sending a 2026 first-round pick in order to receive Cody Martin, Vasilije Micic and a 2026 second round pick.
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
Nurkic has been on the trading block for over a month after falling out of the Suns starting lineup and then rotation in early January. Phoenix had been looking to move the center in order to both free up cap space by removing his $18 million dollar contract. The relationship between the 7-footer and the Suns had been strained for a while, with Nurkic at one point even telling reporters that he hadn’t spoken with head coach Budenholzer in a couple of months.
The Suns in return land a player in Martin that should be a valued rotational piece for them. This season he is averaging 7.8 points and 4.5 rebounds and 2.3 assists on 43 percent shooting. He is making $8 million this year and only has one more season left on his contract.
Its a small move compared to the one that the Suns had been working on earlier this week. It was reported that Phoenix was in advance discussions to complete a three team deal with the Heat and the Warriors that would’ve sent Suns super star Kevin Durant back to Golden State, Miami star Jimmy Butler to the Suns and Andrew Wiggins and draft compensation to the Heat. Ultimately the deal fell through though after it was brought to Durant who then said he didn’t want to play for the Warriors and thus likely wouldn’t sign an extension. KD has also had a very public falling out with Warriors star Draymond Green when he left the team the last time.
*Get the BEST Phoenix sports insider information, exclusive content, and access to our seasonal magazines! SIGN UP HERE to unlock our premium content!*
Spenser Tilus is a sports reporter for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account @Spenser_Tilus
