NBA Trade Rumors: Phoenix Suns actively looking to ship $18 million center to boost Kevin Durant's championship bid
Kevin Durant is looking to win his third NBA championship, but the Phoenix Suns are currently sitting 11th in the Western Conference standings at 14-14. The latest trade rumors suggest that the Suns are looking to unload $18 million big man Jusuf Nurkic.
According to Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic, the Suns are actively shopping Nurkic ahead of the Feb. 6 trade deadline. They are reportedly interested in other centers such as Jonas Valanciunas of the Washington Wizards and Nikola Vucevic of the Chicago Bulls.
Nurkic is averaging 9.1 points, 9.6 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.0 steals per game this season. He's been a starter in some games, splitting duties with Mason Plumlee and Oso Ighodaro. He has a contract until next season and won't be an unrestricted free agent until 2026.
The Phoenix Suns are not the only team interested in Jonas Valanciunas, with the LA Lakers willing to make a deal for the Washington Wizards big man. Nikola Vucevic is on the radar of many teams, and the Chicago Bulls are looking for a first-round pick.
Nurkic, Valanciunas and Vucevic are not known for their defense, but they have their own unique skills. The current Suns center is the best passer among the three, while Valanciunas is possibly the best rebounder. Vucevic, on the other hand, is the best scorer.
The Suns acquired "The Bosnian Beast" at the start of last season as part of a three-team deal with the Milwaukee Bucks and Portland Trail Blazers. Damian Lillard was sent to Milwaukee, while DeAndre Ayton ended up in Portland.
Nurkic averaged 10.9 points, 11.0 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 1.1 steals and 1.1 blocks per game last season. However, the Suns were eliminated and swept in the first round of the 2024 NBA playoffs by the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Phoenix Suns also interested in Jimmy Butler
Quite possibly the biggest name on the trade market this season is Jimmy Butler of the Miami Heat. Butler has a rumored list of preferred destinations, including the Phoenix Suns. Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic reported that the feeling is mutual with the Suns interested in the veteran forward.
If Phoenix wants to acquire Butler, they will have to include Bradley Beal, who has a no-trade clause in his contract. Beal is unfazed by the rumors and is focused on his play on the court rather than the chatter about his future.
"Until one of them come say something to me or talks to me, it's just out there," Beal said, according to Duane Rankin. "I'm a Phoenix Sun and I'm here and I'm in the uniform. I don't pay attention to that. They did that with me for 10 years."
The Suns acquired Beal before the start of the 2023-24 NBA season, but has been plagued by injuries. Beal is averaging 18.4 points, 3.9 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 1.0 steals per game this season. He has failed to stay healthy and has only played in 18 games so far.