Following the Phoenix Suns’ victory on Saturday, the team is facing more drama beyond the Bradley Beal trade rumors. Recently, center Jusuf Nurkic and head coach Mike Budenholzer were involved in a public dispute. Nurkic claimed that he had no relationship with Budenholzer and that they hadn’t spoken in two months.
On the other hand, Budenholzer understood Nurkic’s frustration but emphasized that every player knows their role. DeMarcus Cousins, a former All-Star who has experienced transitioning from a starter to a role player, shared his thoughts on the situation while on the Run It Back FanDuel TV show. He explained that Nurkic’s comments may have hurt him more than anything else.
“With a championship coach like Bud, I know for a fact he doesn’t care,” Cousins said. “So to even come out and say that, you’re only hurting yourself. Nurkić, just sit back and wait your turn. You’re not that guy.”
On a team with stars like Devin Booker, Kevin Durant, and Beal, Nurkic has found himself out of the rotation since January. After being benched by the Suns, Nurkic’s playing time dwindled, while backups Mason Plumlee and Oso Ighodaro gained more minutes. Despite this, Phoenix was missing that physical presence in the center position.
Enter Nick Richards. Prior to the second leg of a five-game road trip, the Suns traded Josh Okogie for Richards, bringing in a much-needed center. Richards, formerly of the Charlotte Hornets, made an immediate impact with a 21-point, 11-rebound double-double off the bench in his debut. This move pushed Nurkic further out of the rotation, though the team recently sent Ighodaro to the G-League, which could open up playing time for Nurkic.
Cousins, who found himself in a similar position earlier in his career, explained how he had to learn his role despite being an All-Star and All-NBA player. After signing with the Golden State Warriors for a championship push, Cousins accepted a reduced role behind JaVale McGee. In the later stages of his career, he moved between the Milwaukee Bucks, Los Angeles Clippers, and Denver Nuggets, playing crucial roles even without starting. Cousins noted that Nurkic could offer the same physicality, shooting, and toughness to the Suns.
While this season has been offensively challenging for Nurkic, his value remains intact. As Budenholzer pointed out after Saturday’s game, every player understands what’s expected of them. Like Beal, who has faced his own frustrations without disrupting the team, Cousins suggests that Nurkic’s current mindset could be hindering the team’s success.
Ultimately, despite the turmoil, the Suns are on a hot streak, having won 8 of their last 10 games. They recently defeated the Los Angeles Clippers in a close game, with Nurkic out of the lineup. Although the three-man center rotation of Richards, Plumlee, and Nurkic remains, Nurkic’s role is uncertain. If he continues to be a team player, however, he may regain his confidence and force Budenholzer to reconsider his rotation.
