The Phoenix Suns are one of the most active teams in the market with some moves, such as the arrival of Nick Richards in exchange for Josh Okogie, designed to prepare the ground for an attempt to sign Jimmy Butler. The Arizona team is one of the focus in these days when the short-term fate of the Miami Heat player will be played.
But in addition to keeping an eye on every move in the market, the Suns have to fix things at home. With a 23-21 record, much less bright than expected at this stage, and in Play-In places, when they started as one of the title contenders, the feeling is well below expectations in Arizona. And internal problems have appeared.
As reported by ESPN, center Jusuf Nurkic has confirmed that he has not spoken to his coach Mike Budenholzer for two months and that the relationship is non-existent. Nurkic had started 23 games this season but suddenly disappeared from the team in early January. The Bosnian said Budenholzer has not explained to him why he sat him out on January 8 against the Hornets and he has not played since. Nine games without playing a minute.
“We don’t have a relationship,” Nurkic told the Arizona Republic about Budenholzer. “But that’s OK. For me, you have to be a good professional and do the best you can. I have to keep working and be ready for whatever comes. But I don’t have to bring chaos or problems to the team. It already has enough. I try to be professional and work hard all the time.”
Nurkic was replaced by Mason Plumlee
Nurkic, who is averaging 8.6 points and 9.2 rebounds this season, was replaced in the Suns starting lineup by Mason Plumlee on January 6 against Philadelphia. It was the first time the Bosnian had not started an NBA game since the 2016-17 season when he gave up his starting spot to Nikola Jokic with the Nuggets. In total, he has made 403 consecutive starts in six seasons with Portland and one and a half seasons with Phoenix
“It’s hard to understand why,” Nurkic said of his benching and the games he has gone without playing. “I try to do what they expect and want from me, play my role but, at the end of the day, it’s the NBA.”
Mike Budenholzer said of Nurkic: “It’s never easy in this league. He hasn’t played lately and I’m sure he’s frustrated. I respect that. There’s been conversations and communication, but you know, we’ve got three or four guys playing the same position. We’ll go with whoever gives us the best options. You have to earn your minutes and that’s been communicated.”
With the end of the market approaching on February 6, there is the option that Nurkic will leave the Suns, something for which the Bosnian seems prepared: “A door that closes automatically opens another, sooner or later. Life is not fair.”