Jusuf Nurkic is a Bosnian professional basketball player currently playing for the Phoenix Suns of the NBA. Born in Zivinice, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Nurkic started playing basketball at the age of 14, after a Bosnian sports agent took him to Slovenia to give him an opportunity to play.
In 2012, after playing a few games with a Croatian league team, Cedevita Zagreb. He initially had a small role with the team before being loaned to Zadar until the end of the season. It was here that Nurkic blossomed and was also nominated for the FIBA Europe Young Player of the Year award. After this, Nurkic decided to go pro and declared for the NBA draft.
Nurkic was selected as the 16th overall pick by the Chicago Bulls in the 2014 NBA draft. He was later traded to the Denver Nuggets on draft night. Nurkic excelled in the league as a rebounder as his large frame allowed him to get deep post position and he often managed to post huge rebounding numbers because of this.
Nurkic played three seasons for the Denver Nuggets, sometimes as a backup but mostly as the starting center. In 2017, Nurkic was traded to the Portland Trail Blazers and blossomed as a player here. His pairing with star guard Damian Lillard was exceptional and he developed his game as a passer as well. The Blazers made the playoffs every single year while he was healthy.
In 2019, Nurkic’s career became marred with injuries. He struggled to stay healthy for an extended period of time and the Blazers suffered as a result. In 2022 and 2023, the Blazers failed to make the playoffs.
Jusuf Nurkic Trade
On September 27, 2023, Nurkic along with Grayson Allen, Nassir Little, and Keon Nurkic were traded to the Phoenix Suns in a three-deal that sent Blazers superstar Damian Lillard to the Milwaukee Bucks and Jrue Holiday and DeAndre Ayton to the Blazers.
A trade for Jusuf Nurkic was something that the Phoenix Suns desperately needed. It was very clear from last year’s playoff run that DeAndre Ayton was not working anymore in Phoenix and a change was needed.
Nurkic forms the starting lineup along with the all-star Big 3, Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal. Nurkic has fit really well with the Suns so far and provides a much-needed interior and rebounding presence in a team that otherwise lacks any size in their frontline.
Nurkic is so far averaging 11 points and 11 rebounds for the Suns, the best season of his career. The Suns have high expectations this season and Nurkic is going to be very important for them come playoff time.
FAQ's on Jusuf Nurkic trade
A. As of March 2024, Nurkic is averaging 11.8 points, 10.7 rebounds, and 3.8 assists per game.
A. Jusuf Nurkic scored a career-high 33 points against his former team Denver Nuggets in March 2017, playing for the Portland Trail Blazers.
A. Jusuf Nurkic is from Bosnia and Herzegovina.
A. Jusuf Nurkic recently broke the record for the most rebounds by a Suns player.
