Jusuf Nurkic apparently has gone from starting center to persona non grata with the Phoenix Suns.
Nurkic hasn’t played since a Jan. 7 loss to the Charlotte Hornets when he scored eight points and pulled down three rebounds in 19 minutes. That’s nine games of first-year coach Mike Budenholzer going a different path at center, a span in which the Suns are 7-2.
With the trade deadline approaching Feb. 6, the 7-footer told The Arizona Republic he wouldn’t be surprised if the Suns deal him. He also wouldn’t be surprised if he stays because of challenges to a trade posed by the collective bargaining agreement.
“It was what it is,” said Nurkic, whose availability was limited recently due to the flu. “Life is not fair.”
Despite the illness, Nurkic told The Republic that Budenholzer didn’t tell him he wouldn’t play on Jan. 9 against the Atlanta Hawks amid a span of two months that the two didn’t talk.
“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, 30, was acquired by the Suns on Sept. 27, 2023, in a three-way deal with the Portland Trail Blazers and Milwaukee Bucks, with Jrue Holiday, Deandre Ayton and Damian Lillard the headliners of the trade.
He is in the third season of a four-year, $70 million contract he signed in July 2022 with the Trail Blazers.
Budenholzer told The Republic he has spoken with Nurkic.
“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,” he said. “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.”
“It’s never easy in this league,” Budenholzer added. “He hasn’t played. I’m sure he’s frustrated. I respect that.”
Veteran Mason Plumlee and Nick Richards have become the go-tos for the Suns at the center spot.
In his 11th NBA season, Nurkic was the 16th overall pick of the 2014 NBA Draft. He has played 564 games (481 starts) with the Denver Nuggets (2014-17), Blazers (2017-23) and Suns.
He has career averages of 12.0 points, 9.0 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game. This season, he’s averaging 8.6 points and 9.2 rebounds in 25 games (23 starts).
Nurkic said he is ready for his next chance.
“I know who I am as a person and as a player. Like I said, one door close, another will open eventually,” he said. “That’s what I’m working for and hoping for.”
