Mon Jan 13 02:50:00 UTC 2025: ## Suns Explore Trade of Nurkic to Hornets, Seeking Salary Relief
**Phoenix, AZ –** The Phoenix Suns are actively exploring trade options for center Jusuf Nurkic, according to multiple reports. Discussions with the Charlotte Hornets are ongoing, centering around a potential deal that would send Nurkic and draft compensation to Charlotte in exchange for center Nick Richards.
Nurkic, who started much of the season for the Suns but recently fell out of the rotation, carries a significant salary burden – $18.13 million this season and $19.38 million guaranteed next season. This makes finding a suitable trade partner challenging.
Richards, in contrast, has a much more team-friendly contract, making him an attractive asset for the Suns. However, the significant salary disparity necessitates the Hornets sending additional players to Phoenix to make the trade work. Names like Cody Martin and Vasilije Micic have been mentioned as potential additions to the deal, along with the Suns offering up to three second-round draft picks.
The Suns’ cap situation, complicated by second-apron restrictions, further complicates the negotiations. While other Hornets players like Josh Green and Grant Williams (currently injured) have been floated as possibilities, the feasibility of such trades remains uncertain due to their contracts and the Hornets’ potential reluctance to absorb Nurkic’s large salary commitment.
The proposed trades highlight the Suns’ need to alleviate salary cap issues and improve their roster flexibility. Whether the Hornets will find the deal appealing, given Nurkic’s contract and the relatively limited draft capital offered by the Suns, remains to be seen. The situation underscores the Suns’ ongoing efforts to reshape their roster after a disappointing start to the season.
First Piper 