Nurkić: 'Life Is Not Fair' amid Suns Trade Rumors; No 'Relationship' with Budenholzer
Joseph Zucker@@JosephZucker
Featured Columnist IVJanuary 26, 2025
Phoenix Suns center Jusuf Nurkić lamented that "life is not fair" as he remains in limbo ahead of the Feb. 6 NBA trade deadline.
"One door close, another will open eventually, sooner or later," he said, per Duane Rankin of the Arizona Republic.
Nurkić added that he and head coach Mike Budenholzer "don't have a relationship" at the moment, with Budenholzer first moving him to the bench and then taking him out of the lineup entirely.
"So, it's fine. For me, just be a pro and do the best I can," Nurkić said. "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. Trying to be as professional as I can and work my ass off for something else."
Budenholzer addressed the remarks and said he understands why the veteran big man might be embittered given his drop in playing time. However, the coach also told reporters it has "been communicated" that every player has to "earn" a spot in the rotation.
Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguetMike Budenholzer on Jusuf Nurkic saying they don't have a relationship: "He hasn't played, I'm sure he's frustrated, so I respect that."<br><br>Have they talked?<br><br>"Conversations have been had. There's been communication….you gotta earn your minutes, and that's been communicated" <a href="https://t.co/53jmo0uRKl">pic.twitter.com/53jmo0uRKl</a>
Nurkić was put with the second unit for Phoenix's 109-99 win over the Philadelphia 76ers on Jan. 6. It was the first time he came off the bench since 2016-17, and he was a reserve the following night in a 115-104 loss to the Charlotte Hornets.
More recently, the 30-year-old had been sidelined with an illness but was active and a healthy scratch in Saturday's 119-109 victory against the Washington Wizards. Nick Richards started at center and had 20 points and 19 rebounds in 34 minutes on the floor.
It's abundantly clear the Suns would prefer to move off Nurkić and the $37.5 million he's owed over the next two seasons.
Michael Scotto of HoopsHype reported the team unsuccessfully tried to include him in the deal with the Hornets that netted Richards. The Athletic's Fred Katz followed up Tuesday to report the Suns are "making calls" to teams about Nurkić and Bradley Beal with the trade deadline fast approaching.
At least with Beal, who has also been shifted to the bench, his role is pretty clear regardless of whether he's still in Phoenix on Feb. 7. With Nurkić, things could grow even more awkward if he's stuck behind Richards, Mason Plumlee and Oso Ighodaro at center for the remainder of the season.