The Suns are reportedly ready to trade Jusuf Nurkic.
Struggling to find momentum a couple months into the season, Phoenix is looking for a fresh look at the starting center position according to Duane Rankin of the Arizona Republic.
Jonas Valanciunas and Nikola Vucevic are the two players who are believed to be most coveted by the Suns.
Nurkic’s fit
In 22 games so far this season, Nurkic has averaged 9.0 points and 9.7 rebounds but is shooting just 45.7 percent from the field and averaging well under a block per game. Shooting 29.1 percent from three, Nurkic neither provides spacing on the offensive end nor rim protection on the defensive end.
Considering the caliber of player Nurkic is, Phoenix can at best only hope to address one of those issues via trade but not both.
The most frequently used starting lineup of Tyus Jones – Devin Booker – Bradley Beal – Kevin Durant – Nurkic has a net rating of minus-17.7 in 240 possessions. The problem may not necessarily be Nurkic, though, as that same lineup with Royce O’Neale in place of Beal is a plus-33.9 in 147 possessions.
Of course, trading Beal and his $50.2M salary while also holding a no-trade clause presents a very difficult task.
Trade complications
Nurkic is earning $18.1M this season and $19.4M in 2025-26 before becoming an unrestricted free agent. With Phoenix being a second apron team, it means that he can only be traded 1-for-1 and the incoming salary must match exactly. No, not even draft compensation can make up a minor difference.
So, when considering a Vucevic trade, the Chicago big man earns $20M this season and so a trade is impossible as it would mean Phoenix taking on more salary.
Valanciunas can’t be acquired for Nurkic because he earns just under $10M this season.
Even in the Jimmy Butler trade rumors, Beal’s salary doesn’t match and so the pathway to that trade is non-existent.
Nowhere to look but in the mirror
With no plausible trade option to improve the roster, Phoenix is likely just going to have to look within themselves to make a team that costs $400M including taxes be a worthy expense.
The biggest sign of encouragement stems from the team’s 14-5 record when Kevin Durant is in the lineup versus 1-9 when he’s out.
There have been strides made in the team’s playing style, improving its three-point shooting frequency from 19th in the league last season to ninth so far this season. Phoenix is also fifth in three-point shooting percentage.
Durant and Devin Booker usually feast in the mid-range, but there has been a concerted effort under new head coach Mike Budenholzer to align with the modern day shot spectrum.
Perhaps patience is needed more than any new face.
