Suns, Hornets Have Talked Jusuf Nurkic, Nick Richards Swap

[RealGM Wiretap]

The Phoenix Suns are looking to upgrade their rotation, despite limited assets to offer. One such idea involves trading Jusuf Nurkic and second-round draft picks to the Charlotte Hornets for Nick Richards.

The Suns have three tradable second-round picks. Phoenix also has a tradable first-round pick, but would not surrender that pick in a trade for Richards.

Nurkic recently lost his starting center job to Mason Plumlee. After initially playing off the bench, Nurkic has been a DNP-CD in the Suns last two games.

Charlotte would have to send a second player back to Phoenix, but has several options that would work for salary-matching purposes. The Suns could end up saving money in this deal, while also adding depth.

Nurkic makes $18.1 million this season and $19.4 million next season. Richards is paid $5 million this season. He's also on the books for $5 million next season, but that contract is fully non-guaranteed.

Via Marc Stein/The Stein Line

[SmashMouthRod]

If Charlotte absorbs Nurks bad contract they should ask for the rest of their 1st rounders this decade that werent included for Beal.

[OutsidetheNBA]

If Charlotte absorbs Nurks bad contract they should ask for the rest of their 1st rounders this decade that werent included for Beal.

Suns would definitely trade every 1st for the remainder of this decade that they can legally trade to turn Nurk into Richards.

[FeatheryTouch]

If Charlotte absorbs Nurks bad contract they should ask for the rest of their 1st rounders this decade that werent included for Beal.

Ahem, the Phoenix Suns have zero! first round picks until 2031.

They already traded away all of their picks to bring in Durant and Beal.

[arasu]

If Charlotte absorbs Nurks bad contract they should ask for the rest of their 1st rounders this decade that werent included for Beal.

Suns would definitely trade every 1st for the remainder of this decade that they can legally trade to turn Nurk into Richards.

The article correctly states that they have just one first rounder to trade and that they will NOT use it to dump Nurk.

[Indomitable]

If Charlotte absorbs Nurks bad contract they should ask for the rest of their 1st rounders this decade that werent included for Beal.

Suns would definitely trade every 1st for the remainder of this decade that they can legally trade to turn Nurk into Richards.

The article correctly states that they have just one first rounder to trade and that they will NOT use it to dump Nurk.

Hope they enjoy no cap space and Nurk.

[OutsidetheNBA]

If Charlotte absorbs Nurks bad contract they should ask for the rest of their 1st rounders this decade that werent included for Beal.

Suns would definitely trade every 1st for the remainder of this decade that they can legally trade to turn Nurk into Richards.

The article correctly states that they have just one first rounder to trade and that they will NOT use it to dump Nurk.

Literally nothing in that article contradicts the fact that the sixers would trade every 1st they can legally trade for the rest of this decade in order to turn Nurk into Nick Richards.

[We Are Groot]

Ahem, the Phoenix Suns have zero! first round picks until 2031.

They already traded away all of their picks to bring in Durant and Beal.

The article correctly states that they have just one first rounder to trade and that they will NOT use it to dump Nurk.

this is an important disctinction that many fans, & even some analysts, fail to make - tradable picks vs just picks

even if a hypothetical team is fully leveraged (i.e. has traded every tradable FRP & swap), the Stepien rule (which must be enforced in any deal) ensures they won't go consecutive years without a FRP.

TL;DR a team actually having "zero" FRPs for any 2 year or longer stretch isn't possible

[eureca20]

I am not sure why the Hornets would even consider adding $19M in salary for next season for just 2nd rounders. It would be one thing if Nurk was still worth anything. However they are basically just adding $19M in dead salary.

I am going to assume the Hornets can find a better trade. Where they either receive a smaller or a straight up expiring contract.

[TheCage4]

For any of us to try and make sense of what the Charlotte Hornets do would be pure insanity. This is just another day of the week for them.

[SkyBill40]

I would take that deal in an instant so long as no FRP was included. Richards cut us to pieces inside last night and we could use his power and rebounding ability.

[grumpysaddle]

I would take that deal in an instant so long as no FRP was included. Richards cut us to pieces inside last night and we could use his power and rebounding ability.

You're thinking of Mark Williams, not Nick Richards. Unless you think 4 points and 5 rebounds is cutting someone to pieces.

Williams had 24 points and 16 rebounds.

Nick Richards is probably an upgrade to Nurk for this Suns team, but only really in athleticism.

[SkyBill40]

I would take that deal in an instant so long as no FRP was included. Richards cut us to pieces inside last night and we could use his power and rebounding ability.

You're thinking of Mark Williams, not Nick Richards. Unless you think 4 points and 5 rebounds is cutting someone to pieces.

Williams had 24 points and 16 rebounds.

Nick Richards is probably an upgrade to Nurk for this Suns team, but only really in athleticism.

You're right. I had the two mixed up.

[arasu]

Suns would definitely trade every 1st for the remainder of this decade that they can legally trade to turn Nurk into Richards.

The article correctly states that they have just one first rounder to trade and that they will NOT use it to dump Nurk.

Hope they enjoy no cap space and Nurk.

Keeping Nurk changes nothing. They're far too capped out for his salary to make a difference for cap flexibility. It's just billionaire money flushing down the toilet. Nobody cares about THAT. They could just cut him, but they're hoping some sucker comes along and takes him off their hands. Giving up their only remaining available first round pick just to dump him would be moronic