The Utah Jazz took one of the most enigmatic decisions of the low season when they exchanged Collin Sexton for Jusuf Nurkic. Nurkic is past his Prime and plays for a team that has ready-made large men such as Lauri Markkanen and Walkessler, together with talented young Bigs such as Kyle Filipowski and Taylor Hendricks. However, one revealing stat can show why the Jazz has taken over Nurkic: his elite rebound.
The X account Bball Index revealed who under the NBA centers in the top five is in defensive rebound talent. Nurkic arranged number three.
The Top 5 Centers in Defensive Rebound -Talent
1. Domantas Sabonis
2. Karl-Anthony Towns
3. Jusuf Nurkic
4. Andre Drummond
5. John Valanciun– BBAL Index (@The_Ball_Index) September 8, 2025
Now it is not as if the jazz urgently needed rebound. For everything they were undoubtedly bad last season, Rebound was not one of their problems, or even defending rebound. According to Nba.comThey were 11th in defensive rebound in the competition.
One of the reasons why Walker Kessler returned last season with the revenge last season was because of his improved skills as a rebounder. It is therefore fair to suggest that Utah did not necessarily need an elite rebounder in the team. However, with John Collins away, Nurkic was able to fill the emptiness he had left in that department.
The primary reason why Utah Nurkic acquired was to give their young guards more time to develop with Sexton disappeared. So why would you acquire Nurkic? Because they can then use one skill that Nurkic still has to put on the market of potential lovers.
Although Nurkic is perhaps not a starting center in the NBA, his elite rebound could attract the attention of a competition that is looking exactly. Each competition must check his boxes, and although Nurkic has his warts, his excellent rebound can still change the process of a competition if he is in their rotation. His bulk and nose for the rebounds can be exactly the type of infusion that the right team would like and need.
Unfortunately, teams will be wary of the other option.
Candidates can wait for Jazz Nurkic to buy out
Nurkic is not only past his Prime, but he is expensive because this season he owes the most $ 19.4 million. That is not the worst contract in the NBA, but he is paid a little too much for a team to want to acquire him. There is a reason why his previous two teams immediately dumped him.
That is why contenders can wait until he touches the buy -out market to jump on him. However, that may not be the best strategy because he will grab for someone under the second tax apron of the NBA.
It may not have much, but what Utah does with Nurkic this season is something that many will keep their eyes. If he shows that Elite Rebound is a lot in his arsenal, it can lead to another trade along the line. If Utah gets something out of it, it can justify somewhat which is still considered a pretty terrible move.
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