Jusuf Nurkic Suggests Orlando Should Trade For Portland Guard

[RealGM Wiretap]

Following his debut game in the Charlotte Hornets loss to the Orlando Magic, Jusuf Nurkic was asked where he thinks the Magic are at as a team. Nurkic was complimentary of Orlando, while making a suggestion for a future transaction.

"They are a really good young team and they are doing a really good job. They have a really good coaching staff, but I think they are missing one player. I can't name it, but that's my little fella from Portland, but I love my Portland people...but I think they are waiting and missing one player to be a really good team," Nurkic said.

The veteran center seems to be hinting at former Portland Trail Blazers teammate Anfernee Simons with his comments. Simons is an Orlando native, and an often-suggested trade target for the Magic. Simons has one year left on his contract with the Blazers at $27.7 million for next season.

Via Jason Beede/The Orlando Sentinel

[Revived]

Nurkic at this point in his career probably makes for a better GM than a player.

[Lockdown504090]

I entirely agree with nurk. its such a logical fit, i cant beleive it hasnt happened yet. orlando is one of the worst shooting teams in the last 50 years.

[OxAndFox]

He means Dame.

[Pickled Prunes]

Nurkic at this point in his career probably makes for a better GM than a player.

He's averaging 21/18/2 with 2.3 BLK and 2.3 STL per36 with CHA... Nurk is balling!

[Pickled Prunes]

I entirely agree with nurk. its such a logical fit, i cant beleive it hasnt happened yet. orlando is one of the worst shooting teams in the last 50 years.

I can't believe it hasn't happened either. POR should have traded him 4 years ago. Simons has the reputation as a great shooter, but he isn't elite and he can't defend. That may fly in ORL with the level of defense they play, but POR won't be able to build a winner around him.

Simons is currently 60th in PPG. Only three players ahead of him have a lower FG%, Trae, Harden and LaMelo. Those three give more offensively by being 1st, 5th, and 13th in AST respectively. Simons is 49th in AST. And of this list of historically poor defenders, Simons has the worst defensive rating. He is not the droid you're looking for.

[Revived]

I feel like Orlando hasn’t been a good shooting team since back in the day when they had Rashard Lewis, Mikel Pietrus, Hedo Turkaglu, Jameer Nelson and them boys shooting lights out on the way to the finals with prime Dwight Howard.

[foreigngrammar]

Lavine would have been a much better choice