The Phoenix Suns have been making some noise recently, as they actively search for ways to shake up their roster. Specifically, they’ve been looking to trade starting center Jusuf Nurkic, according to multiple league sources reported by The Arizona Republic. This move comes as the Suns continue to grapple with their performance this season, sitting at a .500 record of 14-14. The team is said to be eyeing a big man in return, hoping to bolster their frontcourt with a player who can step in and make an immediate impact.
Currently, the Suns have been rotating a few different players at the center position, including Mason Plumlee, rookie Oso Ighodaro, and Nurkic. However, the team is reportedly exploring the possibility of upgrading that position through trade talks. Among the names that have been swirling in NBA trade rumors are some notable big men: Jonas Valančiūnas from the Washington Wizards and Nikola Vucevic from the Chicago Bulls. Both players bring an established presence to the center position, making them intriguing options for Phoenix.
In fact, The Athletic's Jovan Buha reported that the Los Angeles Lakers had a shot at trading for Valančiūnas, while Marc Stein and Jake Fischer both mentioned that the Bulls are asking for a first-round pick in exchange for Vucevic. These potential trades could shake things up, and the Suns are certainly paying close attention.
Nurkic’s time in Phoenix has been far from stellar. In his second season with the team, he’s averaging 9.1 points and 9.6 rebounds per game. While those numbers aren’t bad by any stretch, they haven’t been enough to make the Suns feel confident about their starting center role. Nurkic was acquired in a three-team deal just before the 2023-24 season, a trade that saw Deandre Ayton shipped to the Portland Trail Blazers, while Damian Lillard moved from Portland to the Milwaukee Bucks. Despite the excitement surrounding that deal, Nurkic's individual performances have been inconsistent.
For example, in a 117-90 loss to the Denver Nuggets on Monday, Nurkic played just 15 minutes, finishing with only four points, four rebounds, four assists, and four fouls. His lone field goal in the game was a corner three in the first quarter, a shot that didn’t do much to lift the team’s spirits as they suffered their worst loss of the season. With Phoenix now sitting at 11th in the Western Conference, Nurkic’s future with the team appears uncertain. If the playoffs began today, the Suns, despite being the NBA's first $400-million team, would miss the play-in tournament entirely.
Looking ahead, the Suns are set to face the Nuggets once again on Wednesday in a Christmas Day matchup at the Footprint Center. Phoenix has been struggling, and Coach Mike Budenholzer acknowledged that there’s still a long way to go before the team reaches its potential. “We're a long ways away from where we need to be,” Budenholzer said after Monday’s loss, which marked the team’s third consecutive defeat. This is a stark contrast to the Suns’ impressive 8-1 start to the season, showing just how much things have changed in a short amount of time.
As for Bradley Beal, his name has also come up in trade talks, though the situation with him is a bit more complex. Sources have indicated that there are still discussions ongoing between the Suns and the Miami Heat, potentially involving Jimmy Butler in a deal. ESPN’s Shams Charania listed Phoenix as one of the possible destinations for Butler, but there’s a catch: Beal has a no-trade clause in his contract. This means that Beal would have to give his consent for any trade to happen. It’s widely believed that if a deal were to take place, it would likely be in the Heat's best interest to convince Beal to waive the no-trade clause as part of the process.
Beal has been solid in his second season with the Suns, averaging 18.4 points per game on an impressive 50.6% shooting. He’s also shooting 39.8% from beyond the arc this season, a testament to his ability to stretch the floor. In Monday’s game against the Nuggets, Beal scored 23 points and hit 5-of-7 from three-point range, providing some bright spots in an otherwise dismal performance by the Suns. However, even Beal’s hot shooting couldn’t prevent Phoenix from falling behind by as many as 28 points during the game.
In response to the trade rumors surrounding him, Beal addressed the situation last week, expressing that he isn’t focused on the noise. “Until one of them comes say something to me or talks to me, it’s just out there,” Beal said. “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.” Beal’s calm and collected approach to the rumors shows his commitment to his current team, but it’s clear that the trade chatter won’t stop until something substantial happens.
The Suns’ current position has undoubtedly raised questions about their future. Despite their high payroll and star-studded roster, they’ve struggled to find consistent success this season. Trades are an essential part of the NBA, and Phoenix is undoubtedly exploring all their options in the hope of turning things around. Whether it’s moving on from Jusuf Nurkic, adding a new big man, or potentially reworking their roster around Bradley Beal and Devin Booker, the Suns are far from finished with their roster moves.
This period of uncertainty is both exciting and nerve-wracking for Suns fans, as every rumor and trade possibility brings a sense of anticipation. With the right moves, Phoenix could shift the balance of power in the West, but that all depends on how well they can navigate this midseason landscape. Whether it’s strengthening the frontcourt or making a bold move for a star like Jimmy Butler, one thing is for sure: The Phoenix Suns are actively looking to retool their roster and bring championship aspirations back to the Valley of the Sun. Keep an eye on this team—things are about to get interesting.
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