Nurkic extends Jazz tenure.
Jusuf Nurkic signs new two-year, $22M deal to return to Utah Jazz as key frontcourt depth.
Key Points
Nurkić was one of only three players to average at least 10.9 points, 10.4 rebounds and 4.8 assists per game last season (minimum 20 games), placing him in a rare 3-category elite group with Nikola Jokić and Jalen Johnson.
The Jazz acquired Nurkić last summer from the Charlotte Hornets in a trade that sent Collin Sexton and a future second-round pick to Charlotte.
He served as the Jazz's full-time starter at center from November last season due to Walker Kessler's shoulder injury, effectively stepping into the starting role in Kessler's absence.
Nurkic's season ended with nose surgery in February; Bleacher Report notes he also underwent surgery for a deviated septum, with the expectation that he will be 100% for training camp.
During his Jazz season, Nurkić became the first Jazz player in history to record three consecutive triple-doubles before his season was cut short.
Veteran center Jusuf Nurkic intends to re-sign with the Utah Jazz on a two-year, $22 million contract, according to ESPN. The deal, brokered through Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul, brings back one of the league's most versatile big men at roughly $11 million per year.
Nurkic, 31, averaged 10.9 points, 10.4 rebounds, and 4.8 assists across 41 games last season before a nose surgery ended his year in February. KSL Sports notes the Jazz currently have no other centers on the roster, making the deal especially urgent.
Historic Season Cut Short by Surgery in February
Nurkic's 2025-26 campaign was one of the most statistically rare in Jazz history. He became the first Jazz player ever to record three consecutive triple-doubles, per Sports Illustrated. Only Nikola Jokic and Jalen Johnson also averaged at least 10.9 points, 10.4 rebounds, and 4.8 assists last season among players with 20 or more games played.
His season ended in February when he underwent surgery for a deviated septum and chronic breathing issues. SLC Dunk reports he is expected to be fully healthy for training camp. The Jazz are confident the procedure will not affect his availability when the 2026-27 season begins.
Nurkic Steps Up After Kessler's Shoulder Injury
Nurkic only became a full-time starter because of misfortune. Walker Kessler tore his left labrum in November 2025 and missed the rest of the season. Nurkic stepped in and thrived. His 4.8 assists per game were a career high and ranked among the best for any center in the league, trailing only Jokic.
Head coach Will Hardy runs a system built around high-post playmaking from the center. That style fit Nurkic perfectly, Sports Illustrated noted. Hardy's scheme let Nurkic act as a passer and distributor, not just a scorer or rebounder. That fit is a key reason Nurkic wanted to return to Utah.
Jazz Traded Collin Sexton to Land Nurkic Last Summer
Utah first acquired Nurkic in June 2025. The Jazz sent guard Collin Sexton and a 2030 second-round pick to the Charlotte Hornets in return, according to The J Notes. The trade was widely criticized at the time, with many analysts grading it a D+ or C-. Nurkic's historic January stretch changed many of those opinions.
The move was designed to clear space for 2025 fifth-overall pick Ace Bailey. Nurkic's elite passing gave the rookie a skilled playmaker at the top of the paint. With Kessler's long-term extension talks having stalled, the front office saw Nurkic as essential depth regardless of how those negotiations played out.
Nurkic Likely to Back Up Kessler in 2026-27 Rotation
With Kessler expected back healthy, Nurkic will shift into a backup role next season. Clutch Points notes the $22 million deal is considered a bargain in the current salary-cap environment for a center who can rebound, pass, and set screens at a high level. He gives Utah experienced frontcourt depth as the team rebuilds around a young core.
Utah's young stars — Bailey, Keyonte George, and Isaiah Collier — now have a veteran who can run pick-and-roll, make quick decisions, and protect the rim. SLC Dunk called it the first official deal of Jazz free agency. The signing signals Utah's intent to pair youth development with steady, proven contributors.
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