The focus on the Suns in recent weeks has centered on their pursuit of Jimmy Butler and whether they can convince Bradley Beal to waive his no-trade clause.
However, the Suns also have another issue to deal with – what to do with center Jusuf Nurkic. The former starter has been exiled to the end of the bench and he’s not happy about it.
Nurkic was removed from the starting lineup earlier this month and Phoenix’s acquisition of Nick Richards cemented his diminished role. Richards has already made a positive impact, jumping into the starting lineup and producing a 20-point, 19-rebound game against Washington on Saturday. His +10.1 net rating through four games is the best mark of any Suns player.
Meanwhile, Nurkic hasn’t seen the court since Jan. 7. He was made inactive for awhile, missing six games due to an illness and return-to-play reconditioning, but now he’s just languishing at the end of the depth chart.
Nurkic was acquired from Portland prior to last season to essentially replace Deandre Ayton, who never lived up to his billing as a No. 1 overall pick. The Suns shed Ayton’s four-year, $133MM contract in the process. Nurkic’s contract isn’t nearly as onerous but now it’s become an albatross.
Nurkic, who is making more than $18MM in 2024/25, has one year and $19.375MM remaining on his deal after this season. He’s an excellent rebounder, passer and screener but his overall game has holes. He’s often a liability on defense, can’t stretch defenses and also has trouble finishing at the rim.
Moreover, it’s an uneasy situation for a team with high aspirations. Nurkic says he has no relationship with head coach Mike Budenholzer. Nurkic is also well aware that the Suns’ salary cap issues – they’re well over the second tax apron – makes it difficult to trade him.
Still, Phoenix is trying to do just that. The Suns sent their unprotected 2031 first-rounder to Utah this week in exchange for three less desirable first-rounders. It’s likely they’ll try to use those picks to pull off a blockbuster, but splitting that ’31 first-rounder into three separate picks gives them the option of using one of them to sweeten a potential Nurkic salary dump.
If they fail to trade Nurkic, a buyout agreement could be an option. The veteran big man would have incentive to leave some money on the table in order to pursue another NBA opportunity. However, he wouldn’t be eligible to sign with a team operating above the first apron and the Suns would lose the ability to try again to trade him during the offseason in order to turn his salary slot into one or more new players.
Even if the Suns were to use the stretch provision to spread out Nurkic’s 2025/26 salary across three seasons, it wouldn’t materially affect their cap situation, since they’d still project to be in second apron territory next season. It would reduce what figures to be a massive ’25/26 tax bill, but would also add salary to future years.
That brings us to today’s topic: Will the Suns be able to trade Nurkic prior to next month’s deadline? Will they end up buying him out or waiving him? Or will they keep him on the roster and try to deal him in the offseason when his then expiring contract may be more valuable to potential suitors?
Please take to the comments section to weigh in on this topic. We look forward to your input.
Nurk gotta go. Only going to be sooking and moaning. Take whatever you can.
What’s annoying about the Nurkić situation is he’ll be like, “I’m going to take this benching like a true professional,” and then say, “I shouldn’t be on the bench,” “I’d rather play 0 minutes than 2 minutes,” and, “I have no relationship with my coach and we never speak.”
Trade Nurkić for Kai Jones (who has infinity money). Who says no?
I think he’ll get traded maybe Lakers
No buyout/release this season for sure. PHX will either use his contract, plus one or more of those FRPs, before the deadline to add piece they actually want, or warehouse him on books into the offseason. Most likely, there won’t be a buyout/release until after next year’s deadline.
They have 16 million of dead money spread out forever between Nassir Little and Liddel. Those buyouts were the worst transactions this season
You are probably right about trading Nurkic with one of those picks. I’m sure they could trade him for another center or a expiring contract
I wonder if they could send that 9M a season they didn’t have to waive in Little and Liddel. I don’t think you can do anything with dead money, renegotiate it or trade it
Send him to Detroit
Wow, what a mess of a trade…It was good for the Suns to get off Ayton’s salary but they didn’t get much back outside of Allen and a bunch of dead weight. On top of that, they threw Toumani into the trade for some reason. Now they are going to need to use a first round pick just to get off of Nurk’s contract.
Looking likely captain. Would Detriot want a bigger body come playoff time? Isaiah Stewart for Nurk 1st attached. Ouch.
Stew is one of their best defenders, getting Nurkic would hurt them a lot
Stewart in Detroits long term plans? Duren needs more burn. Attach a first no matter how late, Pistons would have to think about it.
Would the Warriors be interested in this guy? What if you trade Gary Payton 12 million or so and slow Mo and take back Nurkić?
I guess he can rebound and set picks and scores a little bit. Maybe Phoenix adds a sweetener to get out of the contract? All you guys crying for a big man? This guy‘s been a starter his whole career.
I thought about Warriors too but Nurk’s history with Draymond torpedoes that idea unfortunately.
I will pass, the bigs that helped the Warriors win rings all were great defenders of some sort. Nurkic is not close to that at all. I’d rather keep the TJD/Looney rotation.
Hey. I just realized Anthony Davis said the Lakers need a center, two days ago
The ever-evoloving team landscape of players… I guess it keeps things a little fresh but I’m not a fan of too much drama. Let’s get some trades going already GMs… this year is feeling stale already.
Now we know why bud was fired in Milwaukee. He can’t get along with players communication problems. He’s gone at the end of the year.
Owners must be dumber than dumb!
With the CBA they signed no one wins and trading players has become impossible, good contracts signed a few years back have become toxic… owners have really messed up the game.
I could see the Suns and Bulls finding common ground on a Nurkic for Patrick Williams deal.
Bulls should be tanking out of 10th…they can get at least a late first-rounder for Vooch, and Nurkic would fill the void as their new starting center.
Suns are asset poor long-term but seemingly willing to run a crazy high payroll, which is an asset they can leverage by acquiring under water contracts at low draft pick cost and rehabbing them, like the Warriors did with Wiggins. Williams’ contract looks really bad now, but he’s young and would fill a defensive void the Suns have as a big wing in Phoenix. As the 5th-best offensive player on the floor in phoenix, he might look a lot better with that spacing around him and his ability to attack close outs with his athleticism.
I think a fair price there is the worst of the Suns’ first rounders for Williams – roughly a No 30 overall pick. Or maybe offering the Bulls a first-round swap. Nurkic is essentially 1.5 years of dead money to the Suns but is a useful starting C to the Bulls if Vooch is traded.
I like this, think it could work – but knowing the bulls’ negotiating skills, it’d wind up being Pat for Nurk straight up.
Liking the idea as well.
I had suggested Grant Williams on another comment section, but Kevin Huerter seemed even better.
Patrick Williams is a nice third toxic contract the Suns could maybe take on without using any picks. (Maybe a pick swap).
I mean, P-Will for Nurk still clears the money WAY earlier. P-Will has one of the worst contracts for a roleplayer in the NBA.
Big 4 team trade…
Phoenix: Jimmy Butler and Isiah Stewart
Miami: Brandon Ingram and Fontecchio
Detroit: Bradley Beal and a first (Suns)
Pelicans: Jusuf Nurkic, Tim Hardaway Jr and a first (Suns)
Suns are happy they land Butler, get rid of Beal and throw out Nurkic all in 1 go.
Jones Booker Butler KD Richards
… Allen Dunn ONeale Stewart
Miami gets rid of Jimmy and manage to get back a real good asset in Brandon Ingram who has a very similar skill set but fit better on a younger time line.
Herro Robinson Ingram Jovic Bam
Rozier Jaquez Highsmith Ware
Pelicans finally decide to cash in on Ingram even tho it’s abit of an underwhelming return.
Nurkic can be a good vet to help Missi, THJ is just an expiring contract but you get a first round pick out of it.
Detroit randomly jump in to take on Bradley Beal. Thu are trying to be a more competitive side and in order to do so they want a second all star calibre player to pair with Cade. Doesn’t cost them much THJ on an expiring, a back up centre in Stewart and a back up forward in Fontecchio but you also get back a first.
Cade Beal Thompson Harris Duren
Sasser Beasley Holland Reed
I think everyone is a winner, Suns and Heat in particular. Detroit it’s low risk, makes them a better team and adds a pick, why not?
Pelicans not a great return for Ingram but atleast it’s a first and depth, better than letting him walk for nothing …
Don’t think Miami would jump for Ingram on an expiring unless they get a pick…
Plus Detroit def says no. Taking on Beal is worth more than a lowly first that’ll prolly be like #28. Esp given hardaway and Stewart have been solid for them this year , not even sure they’d be better.
Suns would need at least one more pick to make it work I guess.
Same Thing like Bradley Beal. The Suns make a dumb trade and after all, it is the players Fault.
Only difference: they cant do anything about the Beal Situation due to his no trade clause.
Throwing around Money without sense. They will stay in salary cap hell with no title chances until they trade Durant and Booker.
Bulls should just take him and start their tanking.
Can move Vucevic to GS in three way. Could get another pick (2nd) or a young player plus.
The Suns from a short term perspective need to win. Because they have no choice but to go full into the second apron for the next 3 years or blow it up.
They get Butler, 2 year extension. They will be a second apron team until 2028-2029 bc they’ll likely extend KD too.
So if they win nothing that was a lot of extra money spent on time wasted.
If they can’t get Butler at the deadline or another pseudo star. Need to see if they can get Ben Simmons for Beale and 3 FRPs, if he’ll even accept that.
A 3 team back to Washington, they may value those picks more.