3 Blazers who improved their trade value this season, 2 who tanked it
By Reese Kunz
No. 2: Jusuf Nurkić
Jusuf Nurkić is one of the most controversial Blazers players on the roster. Fans and analysts typically have an opinion, one way or another, regarding what the team should do with the big man. Unfortunately, Nurkić makes the list as a player who tanked his trade value this season.
Similar to Little, Nurkić hasn’t played many games the past few seasons due to injuries. The last time he played more than 56 games was five seasons ago during the 2018-19 season (Nurkić played 72 games that year). He has had various injuries throughout his career.
In addition to the injury history, he’s on a four-year, $70 million contract. Last year, Nurkić finished with an overall RAPTOR rating of +3.2, the team’s best rating that season. He had 4.8 wins above replacement and mainly made his impact on defense, where he finished with a +3.4 defensive RAPTOR rating.
This season, Nurkić was less impressive defensively and more of a liability offensively. He finished with offensive and defensive RAPTOR ratings of -1.1 and +2.0, respectively.
Next. 5 trades for role players to help the Blazers compete next season. dark
While he’s capable of shooting from beyond the arc, teams don’t seem very interested in Nurkić’s traditional back-to-the-basket style of play in today’s NBA.
Add in the injury history, contract situation, and decrease in production, and it will be challenging to dangle Nurkić as a possible trade piece.