Breakdown
Performance
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July 1, 2026
Lined up as starting center
Nurkic (nose) is projected as Utah's top starting center for the 2026-27 season after the Jazz lost Walker Kessler to the Lakers this offseason, Jared Koch of SI.com reports.
Analysis
Nurkic was highly productive when available for the Jazz, averaging 10.9 points, 10.4 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 1.3 steals in 26.4 minutes per game across 41 regular-season games (36 starts) last year. The veteran big man will have a new partner in the frontcourt with Jaren Jackson now in the fold, so it'll be interesting to see how the two big men mesh in 2026-27. Nurkic should be ready for the start of training camp after undergoing season-ending nose surgery in February.
June 29, 2026
Intends to stay in Utah
Nurkic (nose) intends to sign a two-year, $22 million contract to return to the Jazz, Shams Charania of ESPN reports.
Analysis
Nurkic was a full-time starter for the Jazz since November of the 2025-26 campaign due to the absence of Walker Kessler (shoulder). The former averaged 10.9 points, 10.4 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 1.3 steals over 26.4 minutes per game across 41 regular-season games (36 starts) last year, but Nurkic missed the last two months of the season after undergoing surgery on his nose in mid-February. He should be 100 percent for the start of training camp and will likely serve as the Jazz's backup big man behind Kessler for the 2026-27 season.
