{"id":135067,"date":"2025-06-29T22:12:11","date_gmt":"2025-06-29T22:12:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/135067\/"},"modified":"2025-06-29T22:12:11","modified_gmt":"2025-06-29T22:12:11","slug":"grading-the-jazz-hornets-collin-sexton-trade","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/135067\/","title":{"rendered":"Grading The Jazz-Hornets Collin Sexton Trade"},"content":{"rendered":"

On Sunday afternoon, the Utah Jazz agreed to trade Collin Sexton<\/a> and a 2030 second-round pick to the Charlotte Hornets in exchange for Jusuf Nurkic<\/a>, according to ESPN senior insider Shams Charania.<\/p>\n

Grading The Jazz-Hornets Collin Sexton Trade<\/p>\n

With Sexton rumored to be on the move<\/a> for several months, Utah\u2019s decision to move on from the former eighth overall pick was expected. There had not been any reports about a potential deal between the Jazz and the Hornets. However, Charlotte was said to be on the prowl, looking for an experienced ball-handler<\/a> to back up franchise cornerstone LaMelo Ball<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Just in: The Utah Jazz are trading Collin Sexton and a 2030 second-round pick to the Charlotte Hornets for Jusuf Nurkic, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com\/k5hFMBSlYn<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 29, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n

Here are the trade grades for each team.<\/p>\n

Hornets \u2013 A<\/p>\n

The Hornets adding a 26-year-old combo guard that started in 335 of the 407 games he\u2019s played isn\u2019t nothing.<\/p>\n

Ball has played fewer than 52 games all but one season. The reality of his lack of durability, along with his questions about his shot-selection, defense, and leadership lend themselves to the possibility that Charlotte could move on from him one day. Not to be forgotten is the emergence of 2023 No. 2 pick Brandon Miller<\/a>, who was averaging 21.0 points per game prior to sustaining a season-ending wrist injury.<\/p>\n

With that in mind, \u00a0Sexton has scored over 20 points per game in multiple seasons. In fact, he averages 20.0 points per game as a starter. With his slow but steady evolution as a facilitator, he\u2019s not just a shot-maker but playmaker. Thus, Sexton can make a big impact in Charlotte. Even when he comes off the bench, he\u2019s averaged 13.1 points in 22.1 minutes per game.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

On top of that, Hornets executive vice president Jeff Peterson was also able to acquire draft capital when he was arguably receiving the more effective player. Only time will tell how valuable that second-round pick really is. Still, at least he was able to pry it away.<\/p>\n

With Nurkic gone, Charlotte may turn to either Moussa Diabate<\/a> or 2024 No. 34 pick Ryan Kalkbrenner<\/a> as the starter. The lithe Diabate, who\u2019ll represent France during the 2025 EuroBasket Tournament, averaged 5.2 points and 6.7 rebounds per game for the Hornets last season. Kalkbrenner was a four-time Big East Defensive Player of the Year at Creighton. In 2024-25, the lanky big man averaged 19.2 points, 8.7 rebounds and 2.7 blocks per game. He also shot 34.4 percent from 3.<\/p>\n

Jazz \u2013 C+<\/p>\n

Nurkic \u2014a skilled 3o-year-old center who Charlotte acquired last season \u2013averaged 8.9 points, 7.8 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 0.8 steals and 0.7 blocks per game in 2024-25. On the flip side, the 7-footer shot 47.7 percent from the field and 30.5 percent from 3. Nonetheless, he\u2019s a rotation-level center with a skillset that Jazz head coach Will Hardy had proven himself capable of maximizing.<\/p>\n

Whether or not Nurkic ever gets to make a big mark comes down to whether Utah makes any other moves though. At the present, trade candidate Walker Kessler<\/a> is penciled in as the starter. Last season, 2024 No. 32 pick Kyle Filipowski<\/a> broke out as his backup<\/a>. Then there\u2019s veteran John Collins<\/a>, who has played plenty of minutes power forward and center, but who the Jazz have seemingly had trouble trading<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"\"Mar 31, 2025; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Charlotte Hornets center Jusuf Nurkic (11) shoots during pregame warmups at Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

If Nurkic can\u2019t carve out a consistent role, that would mean Utah gave up a player who started for them for a player who\u2019ll ride the pine. Even worse, they\u2019ll have given up a draft pick to do it. The best that they could say then is that they were able to clear a logjam. To that point, it\u2019s been clear for many moons that Hardy and Co. wanted to start George over Sexton. The problem was that George simply wasn\u2019t better than Sexton, making such a move hard to justify.<\/p>\n

Now, George and 2024 No. 29 pick Isaiah Collier<\/a> can start together without there being a power struggle. 2025 No. 18 pick Walter Clayton Jr.<\/a> can play behind Collier without having to look over his shoulder.<\/p>\n

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