News Summary
The Utah Jazz have finalized a trade sending guard Collin Sexton to the Charlotte Hornets for center Jusuf Nurkic and a 2030 second-round pick. Sexton, who averaged 18.4 points and 4.2 assists last season, aims to strengthen the Hornets’ backcourt as they seek to improve after a challenging season. The Jazz, meanwhile, look to restructure their roster and integrate younger talent following the draft. Both players are in the final years of their contracts, valued at around $19 million each.
Charlotte, NC – The Utah Jazz have finalized a trade sending guard Collin Sexton to the Charlotte Hornets in exchange for center Jusuf Nurkic and a 2030 second-round pick. The announcement of this trade was initially reported on Sunday, marking a significant move for both teams as they seek to reshape their rosters ahead of the upcoming season.
Collin Sexton, who has played with the Jazz for the past three seasons, averaged 18.4 points, 4.2 assists, and 2.7 rebounds per game in the 2024-25 season. He demonstrated impressive shooting skills, achieving a field goal percentage of 48.0% and a three-point percentage of 40.6% over the course of 63 games last season. The 24-year-old was originally selected as the eighth overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft by the Cleveland Cavaliers following a standout year at the University of Alabama. Throughout his professional career, he has maintained averages of 18.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game, with a shooting percentage of 47.0% from the field and 38.7% from beyond the arc.
On the other side of the trade, the Hornets are looking to bolster their backcourt with the addition of Sexton, who is regarded for his competitive nature and toughness on the court. Last season, the Hornets struggled with a 19-63 record, finishing last in the Eastern Conference and failing to secure a playoff berth since 2016. By acquiring Sexton, they aim to revitalize their roster and improve their performance in the upcoming season.
Meanwhile, the Jazz’s decision to trade Sexton aligns with their recent draft strategy, which included selecting two guards, Ace Bailey and Walter Clayton Jr., in the 2025 NBA Draft. This indicated a clear intention to move existing players like Sexton in order to create more playing time for their newly recruited rookies. The Jazz are also expected to continue restructuring their roster, with potential trades of other veterans like John Collins and Jordan Clarkson on the horizon to further develop younger talent and enhance team dynamics.
In return for Sexton, the Jazz have received Jusuf Nurkic, who joined the Hornets from the Phoenix Suns during last season’s trade deadline. The 30-year-old center averaged 8.9 points and 7.8 rebounds in the previous season, appearing in 51 games split between Charlotte and Phoenix. Over his career, Nurkic has boasted averages of 11.8 points, 8.8 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 1.1 blocks per game, with a field goal shooting percentage of 50.1%. Both Sexton and Nurkic are currently in the final years of their respective contracts, valued at around $19 million each.
The trade signifies an important shift for both franchises as they work toward building more competitive teams. For the Jazz, the move is part of a larger strategy aimed at integrating promising young players and offering them the opportunities needed to develop. On the other hand, for the Hornets, the acquisition of a skilled guard like Sexton could provide the boost they need to break out of their recent struggles and make a push toward playoff contention.
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- CBS Sports
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- Wikipedia: Collin Sexton
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- Encyclopedia Britannica: NBA trades
- Google News: Collin Sexton
