Phoenix Suns center Jusuf Nurkic, after starting 23 games for the club this season and then being moved to the bench, hasn't played since January 7.

Suns center Jusuf Nurkic was unceremoniously benched.

Jusuf Nurkić and Mike Budenholzer aren’t in a good place.

Phoenix Suns center Jusuf Nurkic hasn't played since Jan. 7 at Charlotte but was available for Saurday's game.

Suns center Jusuf Nurkić said he and head coach Mike Budenholzer "don't have a relationship" in the aftermath of his benching.

Phoenix Suns center Jusuf Nurkic appeared in and started all but six of the team’s regular season contests during the 2023-24 campaign (plus all four playoff tilts), leading the squad in both games played and started with 76.

Nurkic said he and Suns coach Mike Budenholzer didn’t talk for two months. This is consistent with him saying Budenholzer didn’t inform him about a decision not to play him Jan. 9 against Atlanta.

Jusuf Nurkic's unexpected benching by Coach Mike Budenholzer has led to trade rumors and public discord within the Phoenix Suns. Nurkic stresses profe

The Phoenix Suns have had conversations with rival teams, including the Atlanta Hawks, about a trade involving veteran center Jusuf Nurkić, according to

The Phoenix Suns are moving into tonight's duel against the Minnesota Timberwolves with a real shot to continue to both pile up victories while also potentially securing key tiebreakers against Western Conference rivals.

The Suns have also rebuffed teams bold enough to inquire about Devin Booker, who is 100 points away from becoming the franchise’s all-time leading scorer. Booker has never given any