The Suns big man says he hasn’t spoken to his coach in two months.
If you thought the Jusuf Nurkic situation was past the point of no return before, boy has it reached new heights.
Duane Rankin of the Arizona Republic dropped this bombshell story last night during the Phoenix Suns vs. Washington Wizards game.
“We don’t have a relationship,” Nurkic said. “So, it’s fine. For me, just be a pro and do the best I can. Work and stay ready for whatever might be, but there is no chaos or bringing that to this team. They already have plenty of it. Trying to be as professional as I can and work my ass off for something else.”
Jusuf Nurkic says he and Mike Budenholzer didn’t talk for 2 months, addresses Suns future (w/video) #Suns https://t.co/qDbrSHf3Cc via @azcentral
— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) January 26, 2025
Nurkic: “One door close, another will open eventually, sooner or later.”
The story got worse as it went along… Nurkic dropped shade saying there “is no chaos or bringing that to this team. They already have plenty of it.” Then follows that up talking about being a professional.
The lack of self-awareness is appalling.
Good lord… https://t.co/RmLuKFpB7T pic.twitter.com/K48yUX9die
— Zona (@AZSportsZone) January 26, 2025
Coach Budenholzer addressed it after the game, saying: “It’s never easy in this league. He hasn’t played. I’m sure he’s frustrated. I respect that.”
“There’s been conversations that have been had. There’s been communication, but we’ve got three or four guys that play the same position. We’re going to go with who we think gives us our best chance. You’ve got to earn your minutes. And that’s been communicated.”
Mike Budenholzer on Jusuf Nurkic saying they don’t have a relationship: “He hasn’t played, I’m sure he’s frustrated, so I respect that.”
Have they talked?
“Conversations have been had. There’s been communication….you gotta earn your minutes, and that’s been communicated” pic.twitter.com/53jmo0uRKl
— Gerald Bourguet (@GeraldBourguet) January 26, 2025
Nurkic on getting benched: “It’s hard to understand why,” Nurkic said about Budenholzer moving him to the bench. “As you know, I try to do whatever they want from me. I play my role or whatever, but at the end of the day, it’s the NBA.”
Jusuf Nurkic is shooting 45% from the field (his worst since 2015) while averaging more turnovers (2.3) than assists (1.9) per game.
Player Comparison:
Nick Richards: 66.4 FG% inside 5 feet (4.1 attempts) with Charlotte
Since joining Suns: 77.8 FG% inside 5 feet (4.5 attempts)
Jusuf Nurkic: 59.2 FG% inside 5 feet (3.0 attempts) pic.twitter.com/q62jR9ITId
— John Voita (@DarthVoita) January 26, 2025
“One door close, another will open eventually, sooner or later,” Nurkic said.
“It was what it is. Life is not fair.”
Let’s hope that door closes sooner than later.