With the NBA trade deadline approaching, speculation surrounding the Phoenix Suns is intensifying. Often viewed as a team poised for major changes before the deadline, this year is no exception as they currently find themselves in the 11th seed in the Western Conference.
As reported by Gerald Bourguet and Evan Sidery, the Suns are actively seeking to trade Jusuf Nurkic’s contract for an upgrade. Despite these efforts, Sidery observed a “lack of interest” from other teams regarding Nurkic’s acquisition.
Nevertheless, he added that it would be “very surprising” if Nurkic remains with the Suns after the deadline. Entering his second season with the Suns, Nurkic’s performance has not matched the expectations set in 2023-24.
Currently, he is averaging 8.8 points and 9.5 rebounds, a drop from last year’s 10.9 points and 11.0 rebounds per game. Frustration among fans regarding Nurkic’s production has led to concerns about his fit within the current roster.
His inconsistency has made other teams hesitant to pursue a trade, placing the Suns in a challenging position. The trade deadline is still a few weeks away, leaving ample time for developments to occur.
As the date approaches, front offices across the league will likely intensify their focus on trades, feeling the urgency to finalize deals. This switch in dynamics could enable the Suns to successfully move Nurkic, despite the current limited interest.
If they do manage to trade him, questions remain about who could step in as his replacement and whether a new center could elevate the team’s standing. The Suns must carefully consider their options to avoid missing the playoffs after starting the season with such promise.
