Temu Jokić: The Jusuf Nurkic Thread

[Bassman]

Decided we need a dedicated thread to our newest center. Feeling really good to have a pretty capable veteran on hand to pair with Moose!

[JustBuzzin]

Ehh...

[MPM]

Nurkic is Nurkic but will be nice to have the yin and yang of he and Moose for a bit - two completely different looks. A burly bouncer for bigger slower bodies that can pass a little and hit the occasional three vs. Moose who was guarding Fox (fairly capably) last night and would only see a three if an errant pass ricocheted off his head

[Bassman]

Nurkic is Nurkic but will be nice to have the yin and yang of he and Moose for a bit - two completely different looks. A burly bouncer for bigger slower bodies that can pass a little and hit the occasional three vs. Moose who was guarding Fox (fairly capably) last night and would only see a three if an errant pass ricocheted off his head

Folks need to try and embrace the possibilities of Nurkic, since we’ve got him into at least his contract next year (maybe tradable at some point ). He’s a much better option than Taj. Hopefully he’s motivated to show what he’s still got.

[HornetJail]

I don't hate Nurkic. Realistically he's a much more physical Mason Plumlee, so I'm not expecting much, but there's worse backups out there for sure.

Fun fact, he just recorded 31 rebounds in a game last season. I don't think he is 100% washed just yet.

Hopefully he can be showcased just enough for us to get something out of him in the summer.

[Bassman]

So Mark is back, designated in the Hornets social media post as our starting center. How does all this translate into minutes for Nurkic, and for Moose? Perhaps they bring Jusuf along slowly to get acclimated to the team. Inevitably Mark will sit for injury or injury management. Play Moose beside Nurkic some?

Interesting possibilities.

[fatlever]

we placing bets on whether or not this trade is ever approved by all parties
i'm guessing suns are still dragging feet over cody's medicals

[KembaWalker]

we placing bets on whether or not this trade is ever approved by all parties
i'm guessing suns are still dragging feet over cody's medicals

New strategy, always negotiate an injury prone scrub into your trade that way if you get totally clowned you can just back out

[SWedd523]

Holy **** the potential hilarity of Phoenix cancelling the trade for Cody's medicals is incredible

[Bassman]

Holy **** the potential hilarity of Phoenix cancelling the trade for Cody's medicals is incredible

I think they wanted Nurkic out enough that they’ll roll with Martin’s hernia. Doubt they intended to use him a ton anyway.

[fatlever]

Trade is still pending. Saw some chatter on Twitter that it's related to the Martin Sports hernia. That makes sense especially if the suns were making that trade with the anticipation that Cody would be healthy enough to play in the near future. Sports hernias don't go away that easily.

That being said, wasn't the biggest motivating factor for the suns to make a trade that helps them on their tax bill? What is the implication for their tax bill if this trade gets nuked and players are sent back to their original teams?

Kind of assumed they were simply doing this for that reason alone. And the players involved really matter.

Sent from my SM-G973U using RealGM mobile app

[KembaWalker]

probably trying to haggle the league for $$ relief saying theyve been forced to pick between unknown injured goods or a massive luxury tax bill. if the league gives them enough to justify yanking back their pick theyd do it in a second

not a bad scam

[MPM]

Looks like Nurk isn't on the injury report. Who knows. https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/basketball/news/hornets-jusuf-nurkic-available-for-monday/

more: https://www.brightsideofthesun.com/2025/2/10/24362874/suns-hornets-trade-mark-williams-rescinded-cody-martin-micic-status-nurkic-contract-apron

[fatlever]

finally official. trade approved

Read on Twitter

[NMBSurfin]

want to see Nurk play but I guess it won't be tonight

[yosemiteben]

want to see Nurk play but I guess it won't be tonight

He's on the team and not on the injury / inactive report, so I definitely think you'll be seeing him tonight.