It’s no secret that the Phoenix Suns are in win-now mode. Parting ways with the Bosnian center, Jusuf Nurkic could potentially line up a trade to make the team a much more serious contender.
This past season has been an utter failure for the Suns. After getting swept by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round, many fans and analysts began to wonder if this Phoenix Suns team has encountered a catastrophic collapse since appearing in the 2021 NBA Finals. While they remain to have a relatively strong roster, it wouldn’t be entirely questionable to ascertain whether this current squad can deliver a championship-level year.
Jusuf Nurkic Along with Other Trades and Signings
In the past seasons, the Suns have made countless attempts to bring this team up to that contender value yet again. After trading former First-Overall pick, DeAndre Ayton to the Portland Trailblazers, they received Jusuf Nurkic, a player who has proven to be very capable on both sides of the court. In that trade, the Phoenix Suns also obtained the rights to Grayson Allen who they have already signed to a multi-year extension worth up to 70 million.
Alongside Nurkic and Allen, the Suns had also traded for the rights to Nassir Little who had glimpses of becoming a go-to role player but has done little to entertain while being a member of his new team.
This wasn’t the only deal the Phoenix Suns managed to pull off. After mulling many offers and rumors, the Washington Wizards finally found a suitor for their veteran star, Bradley Beal. This trade involved Chris Paul, a key component of the 2021 Phoenix Suns team. While this trade brought much fear throughout the league initially, it became evident that something had gone quite wrong.
Averaging a career low in points since the 2015-16 NBA season, Bradley Beal compiled 53 appearances whilst averaging 18.2ppg to go along with 5apg even. This is not exactly what you expect from a player under a max contract; however, with a no-trade clause thrown in with the contract, the lenience the Phoenix Suns can entertain is now limited.
With a disappointing 49-33 regular season record and a first-round exit, there’s no question the Phoenix Suns are desperately attempting to find a way to get things back on track.
What to Expect in a Jusuf Nurkic Featured Trade
Rick Scuteri, AP
While they have near to no draft capital for the next decade, the Phoenix Suns can still obtain a playmaker with the capability of providing a difference to their offense and defense without trading for a natural big man.
A shocking surprise that caught many off guard was the sudden ascension of fan-favorite Bol Bol. While his stats don’t pop off the charts, he showed true levels of flash that the Phoenix Suns may consider to be a valuable asset to their team. What does this mean for the Suns? They can now exercise a deal that doesn’t involve a star-level center, rather than obtaining a true point guard that they were in dire need of all year.
A trade between the never-ending miserable Detroit Pistons could be a possibility.
Where Jusuf Nurkic lacks athleticism, a player like Jalen Duren is the complete opposite. A capable stretch-five could assist the Suns immensely. Throw in former 5th overall pick, Jaden Ivey and this is a trade the Phoenix Suns will look into. Nurkic alone won’t seal the deal, but the two and only first-round draft picks the Phoenix Suns hold make a much more compelling case. Jaden Ivey and Jalen Duren would bring a much more impactful offense and defense to this group.
Another potential trade involves a Dennis Schroder and Nic Claxton featured trade.
The Brooklyn Nets are desperately looking for an answer after losing their Big Three consisting of now Phoenix Sun, Kevin Durant, James Harden, and Kyrie Irving. While Jusuf Nurkic wouldn’t be their initial answer, it provides another piece to a team that could become a threat later on.
Parting ways with both Schroder and Claxton is not a bad thing for the Brooklyn Nets as well. The up-and-coming Nic Claxton is set to hit the open markets this coming off-season. He has shown little to no interest in remaining a part of this Nets franchise. A potential sign and trade deal is highly possible between the two franchises. The Phoenix Suns would obtain a star on both sides of the court with Nic Claxton as well as a proven veteran in Dennis Schroder.
Both of these trades are highly favorable for the Phoenix Suns as they would be making yet again another trade that could finally bolster down a unit in dire need of a true point guard as well as a center with the capability of performing more than adequately on both sides of the court.
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