The Phoenix Suns are set to retain 100% of their key players from last season.
They have secured the core of their big three, extended Grayson Allen with a four-year, $70 million contract, and reportedly signed Royce O’Neale to a four-year, $44 million deal. The future of their starting center, Jusuf Nurkic, has been uncertain amidst these developments.
Despite speculation that Phoenix might trade Nurkic along with their 2031 first-round pick for a better fit, Suns insider John Gambadoro believes otherwise. Whether this indicates subpar trade offers or new head coach Mike Budenholzer’s confidence in Nurkic remains to be seen.
The fanbase is divided on Nurkic, with some appreciating his ability to facilitate offense and rebound at a reasonable salary, which they view as beneficial compared to his predecessor. Others argue that his lack of a jump shot, athleticism, and consistent rim protection were liabilities during the 2023-24 season.
The reality likely lies somewhere in between—Nurkic excels in certain areas but has room for improvement in others. His salary, as an above-average player earning an average share of the payroll, is manageable, especially if Coach Budenholzer can maximize his skill set in his innovative system, a variation of Gregg Popovich’s approach.
Additionally, the Suns have signed Mason Plumlee to a one-year deal, providing Nurkic with a new backup center for the 2023-24 season.