Buoyed by Kevin Durant’s “clutchitude” at the start of the season, the Suns started strong. Except that the winger's injuries have broken the rhythm of the team… which cannot bounce back, and continues to suffer disappointments.
Mike Budenholzer's troops have just suffered three defeats in a row and are barely balanced (14 victories – 14 defeats). Above all, they left the Top 10 in the West…
What trigger the major maneuvers? According to The Arizona RepublicGM James Jones heats up the phones, continuing to discuss an exchange between Bradley Beal And Jimmy Butlereven if the “no-trade clause” (which allows it to refuse any transfer) of the first makes the matter complex and uncertain.
Nikola Vucevic or Jonas Valanciunas in the viewfinder?
The other player who seems to be in the hot seat is Jusuf Nurkic. The Bosnian pivot had lost weight and focused on the 3-pointer this summer, in order to prepare for a “stretch five” role that fits Mike Budenholzer's game.
The problem is that he has a hard time being effective in this role, and he loses a lot of balls. The Suns would therefore like to exchange him for another pivot, but that won't be easy either. Can he get his hands on Nikola Vucevic Or Jonas Valanciunaswhich would both be on the market?
| Jusuf Nurkic | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2014-15 | DEN | 62 | 18 | 44.6 | 0.0 | 63.6 | 2.0 | 4.1 | 6.2 | 0.8 | 3.3 | 0.8 | 1.4 | 1.1 | 6.9 |
| 2015-16 | DEN | 32 | 17 | 41.7 | 0.0 | 61.6 | 2.0 | 3.4 | 5.5 | 1.2 | 2.8 | 0.8 | 1.7 | 1.4 | 8.2 |
| 2016-17 * | All Teams | 65 | 21 | 50.7 | 0.0 | 57.1 | 2.4 | 4.8 | 7.2 | 1.9 | 2.5 | 0.8 | 2.2 | 1.1 | 10.2 |
| 2016-17 * | DEN | 45 | 18 | 50.7 | 0.0 | 49.6 | 2.0 | 3.8 | 5.8 | 1.3 | 2.0 | 0.6 | 1.8 | 0.8 | 8.0 |
| 2016-17 * | POR | 20 | 29 | 50.8 | 0.0 | 66.0 | 3.2 | 7.1 | 10.3 | 3.1 | 3.6 | 1.2 | 3.1 | 1.9 | 15.2 |
| 2017-18 | POR | 79 | 26 | 50.5 | 0.0 | 63.0 | 2.4 | 6.6 | 9.0 | 1.8 | 3.1 | 0.8 | 2.3 | 1.4 | 14.3 |
| 2018-19 | POR | 72 | 27 | 50.8 | 10.3 | 77.3 | 3.4 | 7.0 | 10.4 | 3.2 | 3.5 | 1.0 | 2.3 | 1.4 | 15.6 |
| 2019-20 | POR | 8 | 32 | 49.5 | 20.0 | 88.6 | 2.9 | 7.4 | 10.2 | 4.0 | 4.9 | 1.4 | 2.4 | 2.0 | 17.6 |
| 2020-21 | POR | 37 | 24 | 51.4 | 40.0 | 61.9 | 2.3 | 6.6 | 9.0 | 3.4 | 2.8 | 1.0 | 2.0 | 1.1 | 11.5 |
| 2021-22 | POR | 56 | 28 | 53.5 | 26.8 | 69.0 | 3.0 | 8.1 | 11.1 | 2.8 | 3.4 | 1.1 | 2.6 | 0.6 | 15.0 |
| 2022-23 | POR | 52 | 27 | 51.9 | 36.1 | 66.1 | 2.2 | 6.9 | 9.1 | 2.9 | 3.6 | 0.8 | 2.3 | 0.8 | 13.3 |
| 2023-24 | PHX | 76 | 27 | 51.0 | 24.4 | 64.0 | 2.9 | 8.1 | 11.0 | 4.0 | 3.3 | 1.1 | 2.3 | 1.1 | 10.9 |
| 2024-25 | PHX | 21 | 25 | 45.5 | 29.4 | 69.8 | 1.9 | 7.7 | 9.6 | 1.7 | 3.1 | 1.0 | 2.3 | 0.7 | 9.1 |
| Total | 559 | 25 | 50.2 | 28.0 | 66.8 | 2.6 | 6.4 | 9.0 | 2.5 | 3.2 | 0.9 | 2.2 | 1.1 | 12.0 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.
