CHARLOTTE — The Charlotte Hornets made another move before Thursday’s NBA trade deadline, bringing center Jusuf Nurkic to the Queen City along with a first-round pick, Channel 9 Sports Director Phil Orban has learned.
Not even 24 hours after sending Mark Williams to the Lakers, the Hornets agreed to trade forward Cody Martin and guard Vasilge Micic to the Phoenix Suns in return for Nurkic and the Suns’ first-round pick in 2026. The Suns will also receive the Hornets’ second-round pick in 2026, Orban learned.
The Hornets were a busy team this trade cycle after adding rookie Dalton Knecht and Cam Reddish from the Lakers late Wednesday night, along with a 2031 first-round pick and a first-round pick swap in 2030. It was the second time the team had traded a center this season after sending Nick Richards and a second-round pick in 2025 to Phoenix for guard Josh Okogie and three future second-round draft picks last month.
Nurkic is currently averaging 8.6 points and 9.2 rebounds per game but has not played since early January. He is in his 10th season in the league.
Charlotte is currently 12-36 and in a prime spot for a top pick next year.
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