The Atlanta Hawks are looking to upgrade their center position, and they have apparently identified Phoenix Suns center Jusuf Nurkic as a potential target.
There is also a viable framework readily available.
“Sources have informed The Arizona Republic the Suns have been talking to teams throughout the league about trading 7-footer Jusuf Nurkic, with the Atlanta Hawks being one of those teams,” the Arizona Republic’s Duane Rankin wrote on January 30.
“Just looking at the Hawks and based on contracts alone, the Suns could trade Nurkic and a first-round pick for guard Bogdan Bogdanovic, who is due $17.2 million this season.”
Originally the No. 16 overall pick of the 2014 NBA Draft by the Chicago Bulls, Nurkic, 30, has also spent time with the Denver Nuggets and Portland Trail Blazers.
He is averaging 8.6 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 1.9 assists per game this season.
A 7-footer – something the Hawks do not have – Nurkic is also willing to shoot the deep ball, attempting 2.4 per game and connecting on a modest 32.2%. He is in Year 3 of a four-year, $70 million contract.
Per HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto, the Suns have had trouble moving Nurkic before the trade deadline.
He has not played since January 7 after being removed from the starting lineup, per Rankin.
Hawks may be planning for Jusuf Nurkic trade
The Hawks listed Bogdanovic as “out” against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Thursday, giving him a “not with team” designation.
That is the same designation the Hawks have applied to center Cody Zeller, who both sides agreed would remain away from the team while his future got worked out. Zeller could be included in a deal before the deadline or even bought out.
Bogdanovic missed 13 of the first 14 games of the season and has struggled scoring.
He may get hot once again. But the risk of re-injury would be catastrophic for the Hawks if they are already considering moving him.
There are also questions about what this means for incumbent centers Clint Capela and Onyeka Okongwu. Capela has moved from starter to reserve, which would seemingly make him an ideal trade candidate.
However, Jalen Johnson’s season-ending injury could change the Hawks’ thinking.
Could they be planning to move Okongwu over to the starting 4 spot and reinsert Capela into the starting lineup? Perhaps they start Nurkic for additional size and rebounding out of the gate.
There are a lot of different directions the Hawks can take this if they pull it off. And we cannot overlook possibly adding more draft capital. That could make this a win-win decision for the Hawks if they can get it across the finish line.