Jusuf Nurkić is returning to the Utah Jazz on a two-year, $22 million contract, ESPN’s Shams Charania reports.
New of Nurkić’s new deal arrives a year to the day that Nurkić initially joined the Jazz. The Jazz acquired Nurkić from the Charlotte Hornets last June in exchange for guard Collin Sexton and a 20230 second-round pick. He played out the final year of a four-year, $70 million contract that he originally signed with the Portland Trail Blazers.
Nurkić, 31, averaged 10.9 points and 10.4 rebounds in 41 games last season, including 31 starts. He’ll return as a veteran presence on a Jazz team that looks to return to playoff contention around a core featuring Lauri Markkanen, Jaren Jackson Jr., Keyonte George and rookie guard Darryn Peterson, whom the Jazz selected with the No. 2 pick of Kansas in last week’s NBA Draft.
The Jazz could also retain center Walker Kessler, who will enter free agency as a restricted free agent. The Jazz will have the right to match any offer from another team.