In this trade that has sent center Jusuf Nurkic to Utah, they have landed point guard Collin Sexton. This new transition represents an interesting decision by both parties as the two teams figure out their rosters before the start of next season.
Collin Sexton, 26 Sexton has been with the Jazz for the last three seasons now, and he has become a focal point of the roster. In his four seasons with the Jazz, he averaged 18.4 points and 4.2 assists per game. Most notably, he was the Jazz’s leading scorer in back-to-back seasons, underscoring his elite scoring capabilities and overall offensive impact. Last season, Sexton achieved career-highs in both three-point percentage (41%) and free throw percentage (87%), highlighting his growth as a shooter and overall player.
Sexton’s contract only has one year left at $19 million, after which he’ll be a free agent next summer. His acquisition might even foreshadow a change of philosophy altogether for the often rebuilding Hornets. Perhaps they are looking to account for the expected loss of point guard Tre Mann, who just became a restricted free agent. Perhaps this is the first sign that Charlotte is discussed in trade talks, getting ready to move in a different direction in their backcourt.
Looks like the Jazz aren’t done clearing space in their backcourt. Their most recent recruiting class was a coup, landing five-star, multi-position option Ace Bailey, and talented shooting guard Walter Clayton Jr. Now, by trading Sexton, the door isn’t just cracked — it’s wide open for these new players to take on larger roles with the team. Sexton now joins a potential center rotation in Utah that would include Walker Kessler and Kyle Filipowski. This acquisition indicates that the franchise is very serious about fortifying their frontcourt.
Sure enough, Jusuf Nurkic—the centerpiece of the trade from Charlotte—is 30. He’s doing so on a currently-expiring contract worth just under $19 million. His exit from the Hornets serves as a microcosm of a larger, more deliberate plan to reshape their roster in addition to creating more financial flexibility.
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