The Phoenix Suns are actively exploring trade options to offload center Jusuf Nurkic's contract, along with a first-round pick.
The Phoenix Suns are actively engaged in discussions with multiple teams to offload center Jusuf Nurkic's contract, along with one of their recently acquired first-round picks from the Utah Jazz, according to Evan Sidery of Forbes.
It appears that Nurkic has played his final game with the Suns, as a deal could materialize within the next few days.
Currently, he is in the third year of a four-year, $70 million deal, earning $18.1 million this season, with over $19 million still owed in 2025-26.
This financial commitment has made teams cautious about engaging in trade talks, but a resolution may be on the horizon.
To bolster their center rotation, the Suns have recently acquired Nick Richards in a trade, which paves the way for Nurkic's departure from the team he joined in 2023.
This season, Nurkic has averaged 8.6 points and 9.2 rebounds -- his lowest scoring output since his sophomore year in Denver during the 2015-16 season.
Nurkic expressed that he and head coach Mike Budenholzer didn't communicate for two months after his role shifted from starting center to a lack of minutes in a matter of days.
"We don't have a relationship," Nurkic told Duane Rankin of Arizona Republic. "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."
