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.