3 goals for Suns’ Jusuf Nurkic for the 2023-24 season

Many haven’t bought into the idea of Jusuf Nurkic being the starting center for the Phoenix Suns this season. However, after the Suns matched up against the Portland Trail Blazers, it was notable that James Jones and the entire front office made the right choice.

Nurkic might not be the center the fans want right now, but he fits the team’s current system.

Nurkic matched up against the former center for the Valley, Deandre Ayton. While it’s only a preseason game, and most players aren’t taking it seriously.

However, the Bosnian center showed the fans what he could do on the floor with the rest of the squad. He finished with 17 points, eight rebounds, and five assists in 21 minutes to help the team win. He even outplayed DA, who had seven points, six rebounds, and three assists, who spent 23 minutes playing.

He’s shown what he can do, but there are areas on the floor where he can stand out as the team tries their best to contend for a title. Without much ado, here are three ideal goals for the  seven foot center.

3. Be a reliable threat from beyond the arc

Nurkic has slowly developed his reliability from beyond the arc in the past few seasons with the Blazers. His shooting was evident last season, and he’s improved as a shooter from beyond the arc.

The big man shot 36 percent from downtown on 2.3 attempts per game and is considered decent by NBA standards. This season, he can improve his shooting percentage from deep.

Since most teams focus on knocking down threes, the Suns could lead the league in that category by adding another threat. Nurkic can make any lineup that he’s in deadly if he plays the season as a reliable shooter from outside.