Even though they have Devin Booker, Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal, the Phoenix Suns have failed to meet the lofty expectations people have had for them.
Last season, some were picking them to reach the NBA Finals, but they instead were swept in the first round of the playoffs by the Minnesota Timberwolves.
They currently have a 14-14 record, and if the regular season ended today, they wouldn’t even reach the play-in tournament.
Granted, they have had injuries to key players, including their three stars, but many feel their roster just isn’t complete enough right now to compete for an NBA championship.
Phoenix is reportedly looking to trade center Jusuf Nurkić, ideally for Jonas Valanciunas or Nikola Vučević, per NBACentral.
The Phoenix Suns are looking to trade Jusuf Nurkic, with players like Jonas Valančiūnas and Nikola Vučević being mentioned in trade talks, per @DuaneRankin
“The Phoenix Suns have been actively looking to trade starting center Jusuf Nurkic, league sources informed The Arizona… pic.twitter.com/KEiW4A9JY4
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) December 24, 2024
Phoenix essentially swapped Deandre Ayton, their previous starting center, for Nurkic in the three-team trade last year that brought Damian Lillard to the Milwaukee Bucks.
Some loved the trade for the Suns, but Nurkic hasn’t quite measured up.
Valanciunas, who currently plays for the Washington Wizards, and Vucevic, a two-timer All-Star who is a member of the Chicago Bulls, are likely the two more attractive center options on the trade market this season.
Valanciunas is a big, physical center who is a strong rebounder, while Vucevic is a potent offensive option who can stretch the floor.
Valanciunas is averaging 11.6 points and 7.9 rebounds in 19.7 minutes a game, while Vucevic is putting up 20.7 points and 9.8 rebounds a game and is shooting an amazing 45.2 percent from 3-point range.
There is tremendous pressure on the Suns organization to win it all given the treasure trove of draft picks they traded to obtain Durant and Beal, as well as the fact that Durant is 36 years of age.
If they don’t win it all this season, they could be headed for a long decline in the years to come.
