SALT LAKE CITY \u2013 In the midst of another losing season, veterans Kevin Love and Jusuf Nurkic are raving about the culture inside the Utah Jazz organization.<\/p>\n
In separate appearances, the two experienced big men celebrated their first year in Utah under head coach Will Hardy.<\/p>\n
Related: Do The Jazz Need Their 2026 First Round Pick?<\/a><\/p>\n Kevin Love Praises His Unexpected Time With Jazz<\/p>\n On \u201cThe Old Man and The Three\u201d podcast, Love shared his thoughts on joining Utah and the wisdom he\u2019s passing on to younger players.<\/p>\n \u201cI tell the guys, like, you don\u2019t know how good you have it here,\u201d Love said.<\/p>\n Love, 37, arrived in Utah via trade during the 2025 offseason. Many doubted he would ever suit up for the Jazz, but he has played a key role on the court while mentoring the team in the locker room.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s on the veterans and guys like myself to let them know, like, \u2018Hey, you have an unbelievable opportunity here to grow and play the long game,’\u201d Love added.<\/p>\n sometimes you just have to clear out and let the vet cook \ud83d\udc4f pic.twitter.com\/M2e8FFs6un<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) January 4, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n Now in his 18th season, Love has experienced the highs and lows of the NBA. He highlighted what makes the Jazz unique, pointing to owner Ryan Smith and CEO Danny Ainge.<\/p>\n \u201cYou have an owner that knows your name \u2014 like every player,\u201d Love said. \u201cAnd then you have a GM, a president, you have Danny Ainge, that is like, \u2018No, no, we believe in you. We want you to grow.’\u201d<\/p>\n Love also credited head coach Will Hardy for building a strong team culture.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re allowed to have mistakes, and we\u2019re going to have grace in allowing you to take a step forward and be better and get better,\u201d Love said of the coaching staff\u2019s approach. \u201cWe want to improve so that you\u2019re one of our guys, and we\u2019re going to build you up through this roster and through this organization. Will just puts his arm around him and is like, \u2018You\u2019re good.\u2019 You don\u2019t get that everywhere.\u201d<\/p>\n Jusuf Nurkic Credits Jazz With Revitalizing His Career<\/p>\n Nurkic joined Utah in a trade that sent Collin Sexton and a second-round pick to the Charlotte Hornets.<\/p>\n Sexton was coming off a stronger season than Nurkic and, at just 26, fit the Jazz\u2019s timeline better.<\/p>\n After a rocky 2024-25 season split between the Suns and Hornets, Nurkic has been a revelation in Utah.<\/p>\n \u201cLife [is] up and down, and you want to get away [from] what is wrong, and no respect, you\u2019re looking for opportunity, and [to] feel wanted,\u201d Nurkic said.<\/p>\n I did not understand the Collin Sexton\/Jusuf Nurkic trade over the summer, but Nurk has proven to be very valuable on and off the court for the @utahjazz<\/a>.<\/p>\n He was very complimentary of the team\u2019s culture, his teammates, and the FO after Tuesday\u2019s loss. pic.twitter.com\/sDM2TWVD1j<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Ben Anderson (@BensHoops) January 1, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n The center spent the final month of his Phoenix tenure on the bench and played reserve minutes in Charlotte.<\/p>\n But after Walker Kessler suffered a season-ending shoulder injury just five games into the season, Nurkic became one of Utah\u2019s biggest surprises.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s definitely the most fun I\u2019ve had in a few years now,\u201d Nurkic admitted. \u201cIt\u2019s just the support. I can\u2019t really stress enough how this organization is good.\u201d<\/p>\n While not discrediting his previous NBA stops, the Bosnian big man praised Utah\u2019s environment.<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t know if it\u2019s the new owner, or Danny, or all the you know staff we have,\u201d Nurkic said. \u201cMe and Kevin talk every day. Like, the young guys, we have such a great thing here. The people don\u2019t understand how it\u2019s somewhere else, not talking back to any bad thing. But it\u2019s such a great environment, and you have everything you need to succeed.\u201d<\/p>\n Nurk\u2019s 7-0 run,,, all in one clip \ud83e\udee1#TakeNote<\/a> | @bosnianbeast27<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/jUKaacafag<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) January 6, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n Echoing Love, Nurkic praised the Jazz coaching staff for empowering players.<\/p>\n \u201c[Will] takes time with me and on the court, when the game is coming, and is just like, \u2018Take your time, we believe in you,’\u201d Nurkic said.<\/p>\n The 31-year-old has been instrumental in Utah\u2019s offense this season, ranking third in assists and fifth in points.<\/p>\n \u201cTrusting me with minutes and shots, not complaining when I take shots sometimes early in the clock \u2014 it just does a lot as far as building the confidence for the players, he\u2019s truly good at that [with] everybody,\u201d Nurkic said.<\/p>\n Both Love and Nurkic are playing on expiring contracts this season.<\/p>\n Are you on Instagram? Let\u2019s connect, give us a follow @kslsports<\/a>.<\/p>\n Download the new & improved KSL Sports app from Utah\u2019s sports leader. You can stream live radio, video and stay up to date on all of your favorite teams.<\/a><\/p>\n Ben Anderson is the Utah Jazz insider for KSL Sports and the co-host of Jake and Ben from 10-12p with Jake Scott on\u00a0<\/a>97.5 The KSL Sports Zone<\/a>. Find Ben on Twitter at\u00a0<\/a>@BensHoops,<\/a>\u00a0on Instagram\u00a0<\/a>@BensHoops,<\/a>\u00a0or on\u00a0BlueSky<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n