Jusuf Nurkic’s Mental Disconnection from the Suns Becomes Apparent
Nurkic isn’t pleased with his DNPs.
John Voita, Managing Editor of Bright Side of the Sun, co-host of the Suns JAM Session Podcast, and a credentialed Phoenix media member since 2023, comments on the Suns’ ongoing center position drama:
“There’s always some kind of circus swirling around the center position for the Phoenix Suns, and at this point, it feels like a permanent fixture in the Phoenix landscape. Once upon a time, it was Deandre Ayton. Enter Jusuf Nurkic, who’s trying his damnedest to play the role of ‘pro.’ His message to the local media? ‘I won’t add to the chaos in the locker room.’ Well, buddy, that’s not exactly how it’s shaking out. Mission not accomplished.”
Earning $18.1 million this season, Nurkic has not lived up to the expectations of head coach Mike Budenholzer. After being benched on January 5, he played two games before sitting out the next two. When the Suns departed for a five-game Eastern Conference road trip on January 14, Nurkic didn’t join them, citing illness.
During the trip, the Suns traded for Nick Richards, a center who brings qualities Nurkic lacks, including athleticism and an ability to roll off screens and finish at the rim. Richards has proven to be a more efficient scorer, with a 77.8% field goal percentage since joining the Suns, compared to Nurkic’s 59.2%.
Richards also excels in rebounding with a relentless, aggressive approach, unlike Nurkic, who often shows visible frustration when outmuscled. As Voita observes, “Richards doesn’t wait for the ball to come to him. He attacks it.”
For Nurkic, the challenge seems psychological. “It’s almost like he’s PFC David Webster from HBO’s Band of Brothers,” Voita notes. “Webster returned to a unit that had evolved without him. That’s where Nurkic seems to be now—on a team that’s moved forward, leaving him struggling to fit in.”
Despite Nurkic’s insistence that he’s “being professional,” his frustration is apparent. Voita contrasts this with Bradley Beal, who has managed similar challenges with grace and readiness. Beal, dealing with trade rumors and fan skepticism, remains professional and poised.
Nurkic’s situation is reminiscent of his time with the Trail Blazers, where he was productive until he wasn’t—and once soured, he couldn’t recover. If this trend continues, the Suns could find themselves stuck with an unhappy player set to earn $19.4 million next season.
Without a turnaround, Nurkic risks becoming a locker room liability. As Voita concludes, “What was once a small issue could become a cancer starting to grow within the locker room. And unfortunately, it seems like there’s no amount of chemotherapy Phoenix can use to fix it.”
