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The Phoenix Suns are reportedly looking to make a change in their starting lineup before the Feb. 6 trade deadline.
Duane Rankin of the Arizona Republic reported on Tuesday that the Suns “have been actively looking to trade starting center Jusuf Nurkić” and “are seeking a big in return.”
Rankin named Washington Wizards center Jonas Valančiūnas and Chicago Bulls center Nikola Vucevic as “two players whose names have been thrown into trade talks.”
Nurkić is in his second season with the Suns and is averaging 9.1 points, 9.6 rebounds and 1.7 assists in 24.5 minutes per game across 21 starts. He had averaged 27.3 minutes in his first year in Phoenix, but the team has more depth at the center position and has rotated veteran Mason Plumlee and rookie Oso Ighodaro along with him. In the team’s loss to the Denver Nuggets on Sunday, Nurkić played just 15 minutes and produced just four points, four rebounds and four assists.
The Suns had acquired Nurkić from the Portland Trail Blazers after shipping away former No. 1 pick Deandre Ayton as part of a three-team trade that also sent star point guard Damian Lillard to the Milwaukee Bucks. The 11-year veteran has career averages of 12.0 points, 9.0 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.1 blocks.
Phoenix is 14-14 and ranked 11th in the Western Conference, so it’s not a surprise that the team is hoping to make some changes to its roster. The Suns have lost three straight games and will face the Nuggets again in the nightcap of the NBA’s Christmas Day slate.
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