The Phoenix Suns will have a very active 2025 NBA trade deadline. Not only is Phoenix knee-deep in negotiations to secure disgruntled Miami Heat superstar Jimmy Butler, but they have been openly shopping center Jusuf Nurkic for weeks.

Now, with the deadline one week away, Phoenix is making progress on finding a trade partner for a Nurkic deal to soon coalesce.

A source familiar with the situation recently informed me Phoenix has been in trade talks with the Chicago Bulls, Atlanta Hawks, Toronto Raptors, and Washington Wizards related to Nurkic. And all four of these teams as potential destinations makes sense, simply because they are open to taking on his remaining contract in exchange for a future first-round pick.

The Suns recently acquired three least favorable first-round selections from the Utah Jazz in exchange for their unprotected 2031 first-round pick. In turn, this transaction tripled Phoenix’s draft assets they can use. One of those picks will be used to help offload Nurkic.

This season has been a complete disaster for Nurkic. Averaging 8.6 points, 9.2 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game on a dismal 55.6 true shooting percentage for a 7-footer, Nurkic was recently removed from Phoenix’s rotation entirely.

Currently, Nurkic is the Suns’ fourth-string center behind recently acquired Nick Richards, Mason Plumlee and rookie Oso Ighodaro. The veteran big man did not join Phoenix on their extended road trip due to a “illness,” but in reality, the Suns are determined to trade him by the February 6th deadline.

How would a potential framework for a Nurkic deal look for the Suns? Let’s go ahead and dive into some scenarios involving four of the known teams open to taking on Nurkic’s contract, which is $18.1 million this season before becoming a $19.4 million expiring deal in 2025-26.

Chicago Bulls

Would Phoenix be willing to take on one problem for another here with Chicago? The Bulls are attempting to find a trade partner for Patrick Williams, who recently signed a five-year extension in the summer.

Williams, the former No. 4 overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, could be a bounce-back candidate in a situation like this. However, that contract could end up similarly to Nurkic if all doesn’t go well – and this time they would have four more years on a contract compared to just one after 2024-25.

Phoenix very likely would not be willing to include any first-round draft capital in order to acquire Williams’ contract, which runs through 2028-29. Instead, in this scenario, Phoenix ironically pulls off a reunion with two former Suns returning to the Valley:

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Suns – Jalen Smith + Torrey Craig + 2028 2nd (via Sacramento Kings)

Bulls – Jusuf Nurkic + 2025 1st (likely to convey as Cleveland Cavaliers’ 1st)

Smith, who was selected No. 10 overall in 2020, never was able to find his footing originally in Phoenix. Shockingly having his third-year team option declined, Smith then went on to find a great environment in the Indiana Pacers to rehab his value for a few years.

The athletic big from Maryland was rewarded in free agency to the tune of a three-year deal with the Bulls. Now, with Chicago finally preparing to embrace a full-scale rebuild attempt, a player like Smith will be available on the market for the right price.

Already two stints in Phoenix for the veteran in Craig, why not a third? This deal finishes out their open roster spots, or it could allow Phoenix to waive a current player to open up more room for other opportunities.

Atlanta Hawks

With the recent season-ending injury for breakout Most Improved Player of the Year candidate Jalen Johnson, don’t be surprised to see Atlanta pivot towards prioritizing a high draft pick.

This is where a deal for Nurkic comes into play, especially when Phoenix could net a veteran with an expiring contract in return.

Suns – Larry Nance Jr. + Garrison Matthews + 2025 2nd (via Minnesota Timberwolves)

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Nance’s versatility would allow him to slot into Phoenix’s second unit as a forward or center – and he’s having his own resurgent season in a reserve role. Nance is averaging 9.0 points, 4.1 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 1.1 steals while shooting a career-high 46.6% on threes.

The most intriguing aspect here for the Suns is Nance’s $11 million expiring contract, which allows Phoenix to shed salary for 2025-26.

Toronto Raptors

Toronto has let it be known around the Association they are ready to sell on their veteran players. For Phoenix, this is another team they have held exploratory talks with to trade Nurkic.

Keep an eye on veteran big man like Chris Boucher or Kelly Olynyk included in a potential swap with Nurkic. Both players have the necessary contracts in place for a simple swap, plus the Raptors have the apron space to take on extra money right now.

Suns – Chris Boucher or Kelly Olynyk, Ochai Agbaji

Raptors – Jusuf Nurkic, 2025 1st, 2025 2nd (via Denver Nuggets or Philadelphia 76ers)

Phoenix loses both of their picks in the upcoming draft, but rolling the dice on a young, athletic wing like Agbaji could prove worth it. This season, Agbaji is averaging career-highs for scoring and efficiency. In a win-now environment, Agbaji has the profile to become a top-notch role player.

Washington Wizards

The Wizards are open for business on any player on their roster not recently drafted. Any veterans? Take them. That’s the word from Washington ahead of the deadline, and this is a scenario Phoenix could take advantage of with Nurkic.

Washington and Phoenix conducted exploratory discussions on a potential swap of Nurkic for Jonas Valanciunas earlier this month, but could that be revisted after bringing aboard Richards? That remains to be seen, but Washington still has expiring contracts to help offset Nurkic.

Suns – Saddiq Bey, Marvin Bagley III, 2025 2nd (via Suns)

Wizards – Jusuf Nurkic, 2025 1st

This is a true salary dump scenario for Phoenix, but they end up getting back another second-round pick in the process. After the disastrous Bradley Beal trade, Washington owns all of Phoenix’s second-round draft capital for years to come.

Bey, who’s been sidelined all season rehabbing from a torn ACL, had fans within Phoenix’s front office during the pre-draft process. Bey, a multi-positional wing who can shoot and defend when healthy, would become an added boost to the Suns’ rotation.

A resolution to the Nurkic melodrama will arrive soon. In the meantime, Phoenix weighs which team will happily take on his contract.