Without a doubt, the Phoenix Suns' signing of Jusuf Nurkic proved to be beneficial in the 2023-24 season. In his first year with the team, Nurkic held his own inside the paint and controlled the boards. With his ability to shoot the ball from beyond the arc, he also demonstrated that the club can occasionally rely on him.
There was speculation on how the center would perform compared to Deandre Ayton. Throughout his seven seasons as a Portland Trail Blazer, Nurkic sustained numerous injuries. During the 2019-20 season, he only played eight games due to a compound fracture of his left tibia and fibula. The season after that, he only played for 37 games due to various injuries.
However, he quickly proved to be a dependable player for the Suns. In his debut game against the Golden State Warriors, he registered 14 points and 14 rebounds.
He commanded the game with his rebounding, which outshined his passing game. Nurkic had three assists against the Warriors, which was the start of what else he can offer on the court.
Nurkic's passing was one of the best among big men last season
The Suns didn't have a definitive floor general in their roster last season. The front office declined former head coach Frank Vogel's request to add a point guard last year. Thankfully, other players stepped up their game and made things work despite not having a traditional floor general.
Nurkic finished the season as the fourth-best big man who averaged the most assists. According to BBall Index, the European center averaged 4.0 assists, which put him in the top five best playmaking big men in the league.
The top 10 in centers in Playmaking Talent
— BBall Index (@The_BBall_Index) July 14, 2024
1. Nikola Jokic
2. Kelly Olynyk
3. Domantas Sabonis
4. Jusuf Nurkic
5. Jakob Poeltl
6. Victor Wembanyama
7. Joel Embiid
8. Dario Saric
9. Bam Adebayo
10. Alperen Sengun
Throughout the season, the Suns center was in a passing frenzy with his new All-Star teammates. Nurkic had 27 games where he finished with five or more assists, including a game where he had 19 rebounds and 10 assists against the LA Clippers.
When he was in Portland, it was known that he would sometimes give up the ball for better shots. But because of the lack of star power from the Blazers, he never got a chance to share the rock as he did in his first year with the Suns. Having three elite scorers as his teammates (Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal), Nurk had plenty of options, unlike his years playing with Damian Lillard.
Playmaking may not be the best asset that Nurkic has to offer. However, he showed last season that he can bring stability and a sense of selflessness to the team.
Next season, the 29-year-old center might not post the same number of assists. After all, the Suns secured two great playmakers, Tyus Jones and Monte Morris during the summer. Nurkic might adjust his focus to controlling the boards for the 2024-25 NBA season.
Looking back at what he did for the Suns in his first campaign, Nurk's playmaking wasn't highlighted. But it's good to know that the franchise has one of the smartest passing bigs in the league.