One NBA writer is proposing that the Portland Trail Blazers trade Jusuf Nurkic to the San Antonio Spurs this offseason. Greg Swartz of Bleacher Report proposed that the Blazers send Nurkic to the Spurs for Khem Birch and a $16.9 million trade exception.
“For Portland, swapping Nurkić for Birch saves the team $9.9 million immediately off the cap,” Swartz wrote. “Birch’s expiring $7 million contract could go into an existing $8.3 million trade exception, which would create a new trade exception equal to Nurkić’s $16.9 million contract. The Blazers would then have one calendar year to take in a player (or players) up to this amount without having to send salary back in return.
“This would be a smart deal for both sides, as the Spurs get a quality center and some Wembanyama insurance with Nurkić while Portland saves nearly $50 million in salary moving forward and creates a significant trade exception.”
Nurkic signed a four-year, $70 million contract with the Blazers in July 2022. He’ll make $16.9 million next season. The center averaged 13.3 points and 9.1 rebounds last season while shooting 51.9% from the field, 36.1% from beyond the arc and 66.1% from the free-throw line. The 28-year-old played in 52 games.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Jusuf Nurkic, Portland Trail Blazers & San Antonio Spurs Updates
Nurkic has career averages of 12.3 points and 8.6 rebounds with the Denver Nuggets and Blazers. He’s close friends with Damian Lillard, who has requested a trade from Portland. Lillard wants to get traded to the Miami Heat. However, the Blazers don’t have to send him there since Lillard doesn’t have a no-trade clause in his contract.
The Spurs drafted Victor Wembanyama with the first overall pick in the 2023 draft. They want to play him at the four-spot, so adding Nurkic would give San Antonio a starting center to play alongside Wembanyama.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Jusuf Nurkic, Portland Trail Blazers & San Antonio Spurs Updates
The Blazers are focused on trading Nurkic this summer, according to Matt Moore of The Action Network. It will be fascinating to see where the big man is playing next season.
Want the latest NBA analysis, breaking news, and insider information? Click Here. Follow NBA Analysis Network on Twitter and Facebook.
