The Utah Jazz have expressed curiosity in re-signing middle Jusuf Nurkic after the veteran massive man produced one in all his best latest seasons with the franchise, in keeping with Michael Scotto of HoopsHype.
Nurkic, 31, turned an unrestricted free agent after finishing his four-year, $70 million contract, however Utah is exploring the opportunity of 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 taking pictures 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 cut 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 sport had been particularly precious 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 means 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 sport, whereas George averaged 23.6 factors and 6.1 assists. Nurkic ranked third on the crew in rebounding behind his personal 10.4 boards per sport and helped stabilize a frontcourt that featured a number of growing massive males.
Utah additionally has long-term choices to make at middle. The Jazz chosen Walker Kessler’s alternative 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 in the course of 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 contains a number of extremely regarded prospects, together with forwards AJ Dybantsa, Cameron Boozer and Caleb Wilson, together with middle Aday Mara. Utah’s roster building might decide whether or not Nurkic is seen as a short-term veteran bridge or a part of the crew’s subsequent aggressive section.
Nurkic’s outdoors taking pictures was one more reason for Utah’s curiosity. He tried 1.7 threes per sport and related 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 important growth forward. Re-signing Nurkic would give Utah expertise, inside dimension and passing means whereas sustaining flexibility because the crew continues constructing round its youthful gamers.
