Suns shopping Jusuf Nurkic in trade talks as disappointing superteam eyes shakeup
Trade talks ring, are you listening? In Phoenix, Nurkic is glistening. Unfortunately the merriment ends here — neither of the big men that have been floated in return, Jonas Valančiūnas of the Washington Wizards or Nikola Vucevic of the Chicago Bulls, have readily rhymable names.And the Suns, if they’re going to move on from Jusuf Nurkic, are adamant about receiving a center in return, AZCentral reports.Such jolly tunes don’t quite feel appropriate this time of year in Phoenix, where the NBA’s first $400 million team is currently sitting at 14-14.
If the season ended today, the Suns wouldn’t even qualify for the play-in tournament.The problem hasn’t been Nurkic, now in his second year with the franchise.But the 30-year-old big man — averaging 9.1 points per game and 9.6 rebounds per game — hasn’t exactly proven to be a solution, either.Monday’s game against the Denver Nuggets was a particularly poor showing.
Both for Nurkic and his teammates.Phoenix shot just 39.8 percent from the field and was out-rebounded 39-46.In the paint, the Suns were outscored 50-24.Nurkic, who has been starting at center ahead of Mason Plumlee and rookie Oso Ighodaro, managed just four points, four rebounds and four assists while collecting four fouls.As far as trade targets go, reports indicate that both Valančiūnas and Vucevic could be had. The Athletic previously reported that the Lakers could have traded for Valančiūnas earlier in December but opted not to at the time.
The veteran big-man is playing well in his first season with the Wizards and might be of interest to the Knicks, too.Chicago, should they agree to part with Vučević, a two-time All Star, are seeking two second- or one first-round pick, reports NBA insider Jake Fischer.Nurkic and company will get their chance at redemption tonight when they face off against the Nuggets, for the second time in a row, in the finale of the NBA’s Christmas bonanza.Tip-off is scheduled for 10:30 p.m.ET....