TRADE REAX: Hornets Trade Cody Martin and Vasa Micic to the Phoenix Suns for Jusuf Nurkic and a 1st round pick

The Charlotte Hornets shook up their roster again at the trade deadline bringing in veteran center Jusuf Nurkic from the Suns. But this trade wasn’t just about players—it was about stacking assets. The Hornets added another first-round pick swap to their growing war chest, signaling that Jeff Peterson has his sights set on something bigger.

Did Charlotte make the right move by parting ways with Williams, a promising big man, or was this just another case of the Hornets selling low on young talent? And what does Nurkic bring to the table—just a stopgap solution at center, or a piece that could fit into Charlotte’s long-term plans?

We also break down the front office’s new direction under Peterson and why this trade deadline might be the most forward-thinking one we’ve seen from the franchise in years. Could these deals set the stage for a blockbuster move in 2026? Plus, what does this all mean for LaMelo Ball’s future in Charlotte?

Join us as we analyze every angle of the Hornets’ trade deadline moves and what’s next for a team that’s finally playing the asset game the right way.