When the Utah Jazz flipped Collin Sexton for Jusuf Nurkić, the reaction was swift and loud: confusion, skepticism, and more than a few raised eyebrows. After all, Nurkić was coming off a forgettable stint in Phoenix that didn’t exactly improve once he landed in Charlotte. But fast forward to today, and it’s safe to say-this trade has aged better than anyone expected.
In fact, Nurkić hasn’t just turned things around-he’s made franchise history.
The Bosnian big man just became the only player in Jazz history to record three straight triple-doubles. That’s not a typo.
Not Karl Malone. Not John Stockton.
Not even Andrei Kirilenko, who practically lived in the box score. Just Nurkić.
And while the Jazz’s social media team had fun with it, the accomplishment speaks volumes about how impactful he’s been since arriving in Salt Lake City.
Part of Nurkić’s resurgence has come from stepping into the starting role while Walker Kessler has been sidelined. That opportunity has allowed him to showcase the full range of his skill set-his touch around the rim, his rebounding instincts, and maybe most surprisingly, his passing vision. He’s not just filling space in the paint; he’s facilitating offense, keeping possessions alive, and making plays that matter.
Now, let’s be clear: when Kessler is back at full strength, he’s expected to reclaim his spot as the starting center. And that’s fair-Kessler is a core piece of the Jazz’s long-term plans.
But that doesn’t mean Nurkić is on his way out. Far from it.
He’s set to become an unrestricted free agent this offseason, and while he’s said he’d like to stay in Utah, he’s also keeping his options open. Like any veteran big man who’s proven he can still contribute, Nurkić will likely be looking for a starting role-and a paycheck that reflects his value. If another team offers both, Utah may have a tough time matching.
Still, there’s a growing belief inside the Jazz organization that Nurkić could be a key part of their supporting cast moving forward. According to reporting from The Deseret News, the front office is high on a core group of four: Lauri Markkanen, Keyonte George, Ace Bailey, and Walker Kessler. But there’s also increasing confidence that Nurkić-and fellow role player Svi Mykhailiuk-can be valuable contributors around that nucleus.
And honestly, it makes sense. Nurkić has embraced his role, whatever it’s been.
He’s not the same player he was in his Portland heyday, but he’s adapted. He’s still got a polished post game, he still crashes the glass with purpose, and he can still thread the needle with a pass that catches defenses off guard.
He’s not going to anchor a defense as a rim protector, but the Jazz have figured out how to maximize his strengths while minimizing his weaknesses.
That kind of buy-in, especially from a veteran, is hard to find-and even harder to replace.
The Jazz have bigger priorities this offseason. They’re expected to use their cap space to chase a potential game-changer and re-sign Kessler, who’s earned a long-term commitment. Nurkić knows that, and he’ll have to decide whether he’s willing to wait for the Jazz to circle back-or jump at another opportunity that gives him a bigger role and more money.
But no matter what happens next, one thing is clear: the narrative around Nurkić has flipped. What looked like a puzzling trade a few months ago has turned into a savvy move.
He’s not just surviving in Utah-he’s thriving. And if the Jazz can find a way to keep him around, they’ll be better for it.