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NBA Trade Rumors: 5 Teams That Should Trade For Jusuf Nurkic

By Maxwell Ogden

Jan 3, 2017; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets center Jusuf Nurkic (23) during the second half against the Sacramento Kings at Pepsi Center. The Kings won 120-113. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 3, 2017; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets center Jusuf Nurkic (23) during the second half against the Sacramento Kings at Pepsi Center. The Kings won 120-113. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 13, 2017; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers head coach Terry Stotts talks with Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) and guard C.J. McCollum (3) during a break in the action against the Orlando Magic at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Jaime Valdez-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 13, 2017; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers head coach Terry Stotts talks with Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) and guard C.J. McCollum (3) during a break in the action against the Orlando Magic at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Jaime Valdez-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Portland Trail Blazers

The most realistic destination for big man Jusuf Nurkic may be the Portland Trail Blazers. Portland has an abundance of depth and a significant measure of offensive talent, but it’s been working by-committee at the center position over the past two seasons.

Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum are off limits, but a vast majority of Portland’s supporting cast is available to be dealt.

Festus Ezeli has yet to play a game for Portland and the Trail Blazers are well below .500. That combination of realities implies that the Denver Nuggets could be the most likely team that Portland attempts to strike a deal with.

Nurkic may not be an elite defensive player, but he’s physical and aggressive on defense, and the type of player who could help save one of the worst rebounding teams in the NBA.

Nurkic averaged 12.5 rebounds per 36 minutes in 2014-15 and 11.5 in 2015-16. He’s averaging 11.9 overall rebounds and 4.1 offensive boards per game in 2016-17—the type of numbers that Portland would undoubtedly benefit from adding to the mix.

Nurkic may not be an elite defensive player, but his strength, physicality, aggressiveness, rebounding, and upside could go a long way towards helping Portland improve in both the short and long-term.

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