The Portland Trail Blazers did not want to trade Damian Lillard, but the marriage had run its course. He wanted to chase a championship, and the Blazers needed a reset. They dealt him to Milwaukee for a massive return and have been stuck retooling ever since. Portland flipped Jrue Holiday to Boston to increase their return and wisely dumped Jusuf Nurkic on the Suns.
The seven-footer signed a four-year $70 million with the Blazers in 2022, but his production dipped the following year. He had not played more than 56 games in a season since 2019, and trading Lillard was their chance to move on. The Suns had a problem of their own in Deandre Ayton and were ecstatic to land Grayson Allen from the Bucks. The deal came together, but it has not gone as planned for Phoenix.
Nurkic immediately became the Suns starting center and their only real option at the position after they acquired Bradley Beal. The seven-footer struggled last season and has been even worse in year two. It forced Phoenix to make a difficult call, despite their lack of a better option.
Suns admit trading for Jusuf Nurkic was a mistake by benching him
Nurkic is coming off a three-game suspension for fighting but will be moved to the bench in favor of Mason Plumlee. It should not be shocking. Nurkic averages 8.8 points, 9.5 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.0 steal, and 0.7 blocks in 24.3 minutes per game this season. The Suns have a negative-4.7 net rating with him on the court and are three games under .500. Those are massive disappointments for a franchise hoping to be in title contention.
Acquiring Nurkic was a mistake, and the Suns made it worse by adding Tyus Jones this offseason. The seven-footer’s playmaking and ability to act as an offensive hub helped Phoenix last season. Jones took those responsibilities and left Nurkic with more floor spacing, rebounding, and rim-protection duties. He is only delivering on the boards.
The Suns' options were limited. Ayton was at odds with the franchise and wanted out. The former number-one overall pick was on a massive deal and not drawing a ton of interest around the NBA. Phoenix saw a chance to trade him and jumped at it. They went from one problem to a different one, and the Suns may have been better off waiting for Ayton to rebuild his value.
Nurkic is under contract for $19.3 million next season and will be difficult to move before the deadline. The Suns are limited in what they can offer after giving up so much to acquire Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal. They will explore their options, but this problem may be saddled on their books for a while. Not great for a team with an aging superstar in Kevin Durant and another with a no-trade clause.
The Portland Trail Blazers have moves to make before the Feb. 6 trade deadline. Thankfully, they are not still paying Jusuf Nurkic. That is the Suns' problem now.