Report: Suns, Hornets have discussed Jusuf Nurkic-Nick Richards swap

Report: Suns, Hornets have discussed Jusuf Nurkic-Nick Richards swap

We are less than one month away from the 2024-25 NBA trade deadline, and one team that is in desperate need of an upgrade is the Phoenix Suns.

Phoenix has fallen off the map after its 9-2 start, losing 17 of their 27 games since. The Suns desperately need an upgrade at center and big man Jusuf Nurkic, recently demoted to the bench, has been a common name that could have a new home by the time Feb. 7 comes around.

According to Forbes’ Evan Sidery, the Suns could swap Nurkic out with Charlotte Hornets big man Nick Richards–a report later confirmed by John Gambadoro of Arizona Sports 98.7, who’s plugged into the Suns organization.

Source: The Suns and Hornets have held preliminary trade discussions that would send Jusuf Nurkic and second-round picks for Nick Richards.

Phoenix has removed Nurkic from the rotation as they seek a trade.

Charlotte would send another player alongside Richards in the deal. pic.twitter.com/bp0Wh3bcht

— Evan Sidery (@esidery) January 12, 2025

Suns like Richards he's athletic with a good contract. Not sure Charlotte would take back Nurkic, but I do believe the two sides are working on this – There is a way to make it happen but it's not a sure thing. https://t.co/Z2saRSY7hI

— John Gambadoro (@Gambo987) January 12, 2025

It’s not always as simple as swapping the two, however.

The Hornets can only take back 200 percent of the salary they send out (plus $250K), while Phoenix can’t take back any. Nurkic is owed $18.1 million this season with $19.4 million next year, while Richards is owed $5 million each of the next two seasons, according to Spotrac. This would be an ineligible 1-for-1 swap; if it was that simple, it would’ve probably been complete already.

The Suns have three tradable second-round picks–plus a 2031 first-rounder–that it could use to incentivize Charlotte to find a third team to take this trade. But then the question arises about what teams want Nurkic … heck, how many want him that can actually afford him?

Richards is a more athletic rim-running center who is in a more limited role now that Mark Williams is back in action. Nurkic is fine on the interior and is a better passer, but there’s a reason why the more enticing option for practically any team looking for a (backup) big is the one who’s making nearly four times less.

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Would a team like the Wizards take back Nurkic if they find a suitor for Jonas Valanciunas? Would the Nets want to add Nurkic after building up over $25 million more in cap flexibility by moving Dennis Schroder and Dorian Finney-Smith? Will Utah add to their glut of bigs if they move on from Walker Kessler?

Richards is an enticing option if you’re Phoenix, but I’m not sure this would be in the cards barring a third or fourth team becoming desperate for Nurkic’s services. Never say never, but I’m curious about the likelihood this actually gets done.

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