The Utah Jazz have expressed curiosity in re-signing heart Jusuf Nurkic after the veteran massive man produced one in all his most efficient latest seasons with the franchise, based on Michael Scotto of HoopsHype.
Nurkic, 31, turned an unrestricted free agent after finishing his four-year, $70 million contract, however Utah is exploring the potential for bringing him again after his 2025-26 marketing campaign. In 41 video games with the Jazz, together with 36 begins, Nurkic averaged 10.9 factors, 10.4 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 1.3 steals whereas capturing 50.3% from the sector and 35.2% from three-point vary.
The manufacturing marked a notable bounce-back after a tough 2024-25 season break up between the Phoenix Suns and Charlotte Hornets. Nurkic averaged 8.9 factors and seven.8 rebounds in 51 video games that season, however his transfer to Utah helped restore his position as a high-impact inside presence.
His 4.8 assists per recreation have been particularly beneficial for a middle. Nurkic has constructed his profession round playmaking from the frontcourt, and his 2025-26 help common was the very best mark of his profession. His capacity to facilitate offense gave Utah one other decision-maker alongside Lauri Markkanen and Keyonte George.
The Jazz completed the season 22-60, inserting fifteenth within the Western Convention, however Nurkic’s particular person numbers stood out inside a younger roster. Markkanen led Utah with 26.7 factors per recreation, whereas George averaged 23.6 factors and 6.1 assists. Nurkic ranked third on the workforce in rebounding behind his personal 10.4 boards per recreation and helped stabilize a frontcourt that featured a number of growing massive males.
Utah additionally has long-term selections to make at heart. The Jazz chosen Walker Kessler’s substitute choices and added younger frontcourt items, whereas Kyle Filipowski averaged 11.4 factors, 7.2 rebounds and a pair of.6 assists in 77 video games throughout the season. The franchise additionally holds the No. 2 general decide within the 2026 NBA Draft, giving the group one other alternative so as to add a cornerstone expertise.
The 2026 draft class consists of a number of extremely regarded prospects, together with forwards AJ Dybantsa, Cameron Boozer and Caleb Wilson, together with heart Aday Mara. Utah’s roster development might decide whether or not Nurkic is seen as a short-term veteran bridge or a part of the workforce’s subsequent aggressive section.
Nurkic’s outdoors capturing was another excuse for Utah’s curiosity. He tried 1.7 threes per recreation and linked at a career-best 35.2% charge from deep, permitting him to house the ground whereas nonetheless offering physicality and rebounding.
The Jazz entered the offseason with a younger core and vital growth forward. Re-signing Nurkic would give Utah expertise, inside dimension and passing capacity whereas sustaining flexibility because the workforce continues constructing round its youthful gamers.
