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Reading: Jusuf Nurkic Could Become No. 4 Center In Suns Rotation If Not Traded
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Home > NBA News & Analysis > Phoenix Suns News & Analysis > Jusuf Nurkic Could Become No. 4 Center In Suns Rotation If Not Traded

Jusuf Nurkic Could Become No. 4 Center In Suns Rotation If Not Traded

Jusuf Nurkic is going to have a very limited role on the Phoenix Suns if he stays on the franchise past the trade deadline.

Ishaan Bhattacharya
Jan 17, 2025
5 Min Read
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Phoenix Suns center Jusuf Nurkic (20) reacts after making a three point basket against the Miami Heat during the second half at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images

The Phoenix Suns have turned away from Jusuf Nurkic almost overnight after relying on the center to be their starter for the entirety of last season and the first half of this season. Last week the Suns decided to move Nurkic to the bench alongside Bradley Beal before getting DNP’d by Mike Budenholzer after one game. He’s been away from the franchise with an illness since, with many assuming it was to facilitate a trade.

The Suns acquired Nick Richards earlier this week to address their hole at center. John Gambodaro has reported that no team is willing to acquire Nurkic in a potential trade. This has now moved Nurkic to No. 4 in the team’s center pecking order behind Richards, Mason Plumlee, and rookie Oso Ighodaro. 

“The Suns have been unable to find a single team willing to take on Jusuf Nurkic’s contract in a trade. Nurkic likely becomes the fourth-string center the rest of the season behind Nick Richards, Oso Ighodaro, and Mason Plumlee.”

The Suns will be overloaded at the center position and have far greater quantity over quality than most other teams. Their new starter, Richards, has been a career-long backup on the less-than-impressive Hornets. While he provides the basics of what Phoenix needs from a center, it isn’t a needle-moving move.

Nurkic’s $18.1 million is a luxury the Suns can’t afford to bury on the bench. Michael Scotto of HoopsHype reported that the Suns were trying to land both Richards and Cody Martin by including Nurkic in the deal, something the Hornets rebuffed. 

“Phoenix was looking to include center Jusuf Nurkic in the trade talks for Richards and coveted Hornets swingman Cody Martin, league sources told HoopsHype. However, Charlotte was not inclined to absorb Nurkic’s $19.38 million guaranteed salary for the 2025-26 season.”

Nurkic is averaging 8.6 points and 9.2 rebounds this season. He’s been ostracized by the Suns and has another year left on his contract at $19.3 million next season. 

A contending team won’t want him because he won’t be a difference-maker while tanking teams won’t want him because the Suns can’t offer them the draft compensation to take this deal on. If it was an expiring contract, it would be easier, but it isn’t.


Suns Looking To Trade Jusuf Nurkic And Bradley Beal

Nurkic has been listed out with an illness as the Suns try to find a trade for him, with the Hornets clearly refusing to accept his contract. 

The Suns can’t waste their sole-remaining first-round pick on a Nurkic cap dump, especially because they’re also trying to move off Bradley Beal, who has an arguably worse contract with a supermax that has a no-trade clause.

The Suns are focusing on acquiring Jimmy Butler right now and re-routing Beal to a third team to make the deal feasible, so trading Nurkic might be a secondary concern at the moment. They have a few second-round picks they could attach to it, but their best-case scenario at landing an upgrade with their assets and Nurkic will be bottom-feeders from tankers like the Brooklyn Nets and Toronto Raptors.

The Suns are 20-20 this season, so they need to make a move to have any winning hopes. They don’t have draft assets for the next six years, so tanking isn’t an option at their disposal. Winning is, but they have to make some aggressive moves to try and make that a reality.

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ByIshaan Bhattacharya
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Ishaan Bhattacharya is a content manager for Fadeaway World from New Delhi, India. With his expertise in NBA content creation, Ishaan brings a wealth of experience to his role, contributing to the site's authority and reach within the basketball community. Over the last year, Ishaan has interviewed Ray Allen and Mark Tatum, while also covering the 2023 NBA Abu Dhabi Games which saw the Dallas Mavericks take on the Minnesota Timberwolves.Since joining Fadeaway World in March 2022, Ishaan Bhattacharya has become known for his unique perspective on the NBA. He consistently delivers this insight through his daily news coverage and detailed opinion pieces on the most significant topics in the league.Before his tenure at Fadeaway World, Ishaan worked in corporate communications, where he serviced prominent sports brands, including NBA India, Sports18, Amazon Prime Sports, and Royal Challengers Bangalore. This experience in strategic communications for leading sports entities has enhanced his ability to craft impactful narratives and connect with a global audience.A true MFFLer (Mavs Fan for Life, for the uninitiated), Ishaan is a massive fan of the Dallas Mavericks. When he is not upset about Jalen Brunson walking in free agency, you can see Ishaan as an avid gamer and content creator. His passion for basketball extends beyond the Mavericks, as evidenced by his thoughtfully curated NBA Mount Rushmore, featuring LeBron James, Michael Jordan, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Bill Russell—each representing distinct eras and bringing their unique qualities to the game.Featured On: ESPN, Sports Illustrated, Bleacher Report, Yahoo Sports, NBA, Fox Sports, The Spun
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