Jusuf Nurkic talked more about his diminished role with the Suns before Saturday’s game, telling reporters that he and coach Mike Budenholzer went two months without speaking to each other, writes Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic.
Sources confirmed to Rankin that Phoenix has been making an effort to trade the 30-year-old center. Nurkic is aware that’s the team’s preference, but he’s skeptical that it will happen.
“Yeah, for sure,” Nurkic responded when asked if he believes he’ll still be with the Suns after the February 6 trade deadline. “Because we are the Phoenix Suns and new (collective bargaining agreement) and all the rules, it’s not easy to get traded when you’re over the second tax apron. Even that, I can’t control.”
Nurkic has barely played since being removed from the starting lineup earlier this month. He saw 14 minutes off the bench on January 6 at Philadelphia and 19 the next night at Charlotte, but has been out of action ever since. He said Budenholzer didn’t give him advance notice that he wouldn’t be used in a January 9 game against Atlanta or a January 11 contest against Utah.
“We don’t have a relationship,” Nurkic said. “So, it’s fine. For me, just be a pro and do the best I can. Work and stay ready for whatever might be, but there is no chaos or bringing that to this team. They already have plenty of it. Trying to be as professional as I can and work my ass off for something else.”
Nurkic then missed four games due to the flu and two more for “return to competition reconditioning.” He said he feels better now, but he wasn’t used in Saturday’s win over Washington.
Budenholzer addressed Nurkic’s comments after the game, saying he understands that the veteran big man is “frustrated.” He also disputes Nurkic’s claim that he hasn’t been informed about his situation.
“There’s been conversations that have been had. There’s been communication, but we’ve got three or four guys that play the same position,” Budenholzer told reporters. “We’re going to go with who we think gives us our best chance. You’ve got to earn your minutes. And that’s been communicated.”
While Nurkic has been out of action, the Suns bolstered their center ranks by acquiring Nick Richards from Charlotte. Richards made his third straight start Saturday night, delivering 20 points and 19 rebounds, so he appears set as the starter moving forward. If Nurkic stays in Phoenix, he’ll have to battle for minutes with Mason Plumlee and Oso Ighodaro, who are both currently ahead of him on the depth chart.
As Nurkic mentioned, the Suns’ second apron status limits their options in making a trade. They can’t aggregate salaries and they can’t take back more money than they send out in any deal. Also working against a potential Nurkic trade is his contract, which has one season left at $19.375MM.
“It’s hard to understand why,” Nurkic said of being relegated to the end of the bench. “As you know, I try to do whatever they want from me. I play my role or whatever, but at the end of the day, it’s the NBA. That’s why (Ighodaro) and young guys get to play. It’s always next man up, but I’m just glad I’m not out there for two minutes. … I know who I am as a person and as a player. Like I said, ‘one door close, another will open eventually.’ That’s what I’m working for and hoping for.”
Neither do I…
Probably the only player in the league that makes me miss Deandre Ayton
I so wish they could’ve made that work out, especially since they got rid of Monty afterwards. Is there a general trend of centers adjusting to a new NBA, or is it just the Suns’ Lew Alcindor curse?
I dunno it’s not like Ayton has looked great in Portland either. He has been alright though so I guess that would be an improvement on Nurkic, atleast this year.
Yeah I dont believe either lol
Who would want him?
Miles Turner,Jarrett Allen,Claxton,Lively,Gafford,Poetl are all better. I didn’t even name the allstar bigs.
Ayton,Gobert are better too. Porzingus can be an allstar again an he’s way better.
Don’t think they will be able to get rid of both Beal and Nurkic for their 3 low-value first round picks.
And I guess Beal is their priority…
Or would there be a very bad contract they could take back for Nurkic?
Nurkic for Grant Williams?
Williams total remaining salary is a little big higher, but it saves quite some luxury tax this year. He is done for the season though …
Not the greatest of trades, but itd a way to combine a Nurkic trade with a Beal trade.
Kevin Huerter for Nurkic. Save the Suns about $1.5m. Kings need a backup for Sabonis that isn’t named Alex Len.
Because the Kings are helping reduce the salary for the Suns, maybe they get that lowly 2nd rounder the Suns have as well.
I like that for both sides.
Suns aren’t trading that 2nd, they need it to reduce their luxury tax bill next season (rookie minimum cheaper than vet minimum).
When nobody wants you start practicing a foreign language to play overseas.
English isn’t his first language. He is Bosnian….
So you are saying there is only 2 languages in the world or only 2 places to play? Which one is it?
This comment is even more ridiculous than your first one. My point was that if he was practicing a foreign language, for him it could be considered learning English to begin with.
How you got to your conclusion is completely beyond me. There are tons of places to play around the world. But he likely already speaks at least two languages, if not more. So your original point makes zero sense.
This comment is pretty shortsighted. We know he speaks a minimum of English and Bosnian and there’s a very good chance that he at least understands Russian.
And most european teams are coached in English…
Making $18M a year to attend NBA games sounds like a dream to me.
Always rough when players lack self awareness. Nurkic is the reason he isn’t playing, not Bud.
Buyout, they have 3 max players which means no flexibility in a trade.
I’d say play him.
This delusional clown still thinks he better than joker
Right now PHX is likely focused on moving Beal (i.e., getting Butler) with their meager draft capital. Once they realize that’s a fantasy, they might try to upgrade Nurkic’s salary slot with what they have. No salary dump though.
There are others reasons Phoenix can’t trade you Nurk. @ this point, I’m taking a drink bottle, a mascot or a cheerleader.
Hey.
The Lakers need a center. AD publicly said so, and LeBron hinted at that.
They don’t need him to score. Just fight on the boards, screen and relieve AD from the physical fight in the paint.
They should act like they do the Suns a big favor and get one of their newly acquired protected first round picks.
CHA or TOR can facilitate as a third team.