The Suns are shopping starting center Jusuf Nurkic, Duane Rankin of the Arizona Republic reports.
Phoenix’s front office is seeking another big man in return, with the Wizards‘ Jonas Valanciunas and Bulls‘ Nikola Vucevic among the players mentioned in trade talks.
There still are conversations about a deal with the Heat involving Jimmy Butler, Rankin adds, confirming a Marc Stein report. Bradley Beal would be a natural fit salary-wise in a Butler deal but he’d have to waive a no-trade clause — and the Heat would have to be willing to take on his multiyear, maximum-salary contract.
The Suns, with three star players in their lineup, are floundering at the .500 mark. Their desire to move Nurkic indicates they’re looking for ways to shake things up, though second apron restrictions limit what they can do.
Nurkic is averaging 9.1 points, 9.6 rebounds and 1.7 assists in 24.5 minutes per game during his second season with the Suns. Nurkic played just 15 minutes against Denver on Monday. He averaged 10.9 PPG, 11.0 RPG and 4.0 APG last season.
Phoenix acquired him in the three-team blockbuster in which Damian Lillard was dealt to Milwaukee and former Suns center Deandre Ayton was sent to the Trail Blazers.
Nurkic is signed through next season. He’s making $18.125MM this season and will bring in $19.375MM next season.
Valanciunas is making $9.9MM this season, so there would need to be additional players in a transaction involving the Wizards. Vucevic, also signed through next season, is pulling in $20MM this season.
Great on the Suns for recognizing they aren’t performing well enough to be a legitimate playoff threat, but Nurkic isn’t the problem… It’s Beal.
Nurkic for Vucevic or Valanciunas is a lateral move. The front office needs to admit to themselves that the Beal trade was a massive misstep. Between the 2nd apron and the no trade clause, they absolutely HAD to make this combination work because there was no getting themselves out of the situation.
Don’t see why the Heat would want Beal. Don’t see how Beal would want to go waste away for a different non playoff team. Maybe Beal would go back to Washington for family or familiarity but his ultimate destiny rides firmly outside the power of the front office.
Actually trade with Was is one of only realistic ones. Not only for interest but salary wise too.
Beal for Poole, Val, Davis works.
They can look for Nurk trade for some other position.
Obvious candidates would be Huerter, Russell, Smart
Good idea!
When you have a serious problem, you fix it right away.
Bradley Beal is considered a “serious problem” primarily due to his large contract, recent injury issues and a lack of consistent performance
Trade
Trade
Trade
“Nurkic isn’t the problem… It’s Beal.”
Agreed, Druuu. Beal was a big mistake on the Suns’ part. Although they could do better than Nurkic at the 5.
Let’s be honest,
Without dealing away Beal, Suns problems are not fixable.
With Beal, Suns will set for the many years to come.
When Beal contract expired, Durant is very old.
As a Wizards fan we do not want Beal back lol
Valanciunas would be a great fit for them
“Saying it respectfully, I don’t know how teams are gonna guard us.”
– Devin Booker
I don’t know what worse, the quote, or that you pay attention to things Devin Booker says.
Worst ….. Those paying attention to those who pay attention to what Devin Booker says.
Nurkic would be useless to the Bulls, no salary savings and he’s 31 next year. They would need to get a third team with picks or prospects involved.
I would’t say useless, bc Nurkic could help the Bulls lose for slightly less $ than Vuc & extract a young player from the Suns.
I could easily see a deal like Nurkic & Ryan Dunn for Vucevic & a filler like DJ Steward (to make it an even trade for 2nd apron purposes). It would be like adding a 2024 first for the “downgrade” at center. Plus, Nurkic would finally have a chance to play for the team who drafted & foolishly traded him away. Bulls win that trade.
Phx can’t aggregate Salaries
Absolutely pointless linking Beal to any trade. No, I’m not going….done.
Lakers trade Dlo
Beal to Miami would be counter productive and will be a complete mess for the Heat. The Heat need young promising players coming back, a trade with Houston and their surplus of young talent seems like the best avenue IMO. I’m sure they can make it work.