According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, the Phoenix Suns have traded Jusuf Nurkic to the Charlotte Hornets to make a real attempt at beginning the process of getting below the second apron.

Phoenix needed to attach a 2026 first-round pick to move off the veteran center. This season, Nurkic is making $18.1 million. Next season, he’ll be on an expiring contract, making $19.3 million.

The Hornets have traded Cody Martin, Vasilije Micic, and a 2026 second-round pick to the Suns. Both players are seen as potential bench players for Phoenix.

If the Suns were to part ways with both these players in the offseason, it would help reduce their tax bill and potentially go under the second apron.

According to Chris Haynes, the Phoenix Suns have decided to take Bradley Beal and Jusuf Nurkic out of the starting lineup. This comes before Monday’s game against the Philadelphia 76ers.

Rookie Ryan Dunn and backup center Mason Plumlee will be inserted into the starting five.

The outlining reason for this change is tension within the locker room and the team being on a four-game losing streak. It’s reported that players are frustrated about their roles and how this season has turned out.

“There is also tension in that locker room. I’m told certain players are unsure of their roles and frustrated with how they’re being used. The coaching staff, they’re still trying to figure things out.” Said by Chris Haynes.

This move is seen to be permanent, as Phoenix has no desire to make this a one-game change. Their roster experimentation appears to be here for the future.

Jusuf Nurkic is another guy down for the Blazers!

Jusuf Nurkic is another guy down for the Blazers!

If the Portland Trail Blazers didn’t already have enough issues, add Nurkic to the list of injuries. Damian Lillard is out, Nassir Little is out, and now Nurkic gets infected by the injury bug.

The Blazers themselves announced earlier today, Wednesday, that Nurkic will be out at least a month with a left foot injury. The injury exactly is plantar fasciitis in his left foot. This injury is an inflammation of a thick band for tissue that is connecting the heel bone to all the toes. Talk about pain.

Per the team, this injury has been bothering him since September. So the team will shut him down for the next month to see if the inflammation will die down tremendously.

The battered Blazers will be taking on Golden State this Thursday at home.

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