Mike Budenholzer Reportedly Told Jusuf Nurkic He Was 'Bad Teammate' Before Suns Trade

Former Phoenix Suns head coach Mike Budenholzer reportedly criticized Jusuf Nurkić's teamwork and screening before Nurkić was traded to the Charlotte Hornets in February.

NBA insider Chris Haynes said at the 4:40 mark of Monday's episode of Haynes Briefs that Budenholzer told Nurkić in a meeting that he was "a bad teammate, and he was somebody who refused to set quality screens."

"I was told Nurk took that as mad disrespect... he prides himself at setting quality screens," Haynes said.

The Suns announced Budenholzer's firing Monday after his team missed the postseason despite playing with the largest payroll in NBA history.

Nurkić started 23 of the Suns' first 30 games of the season leading up to Dec. 27, when he was suspended three games for participating in an on-court brawl during a game against the Dallas Mavericks.

He spent the rest of his time with the Suns on the bench, making only two more appearances over two months prior to his trade to the Hornets.

Nurkić told the Arizona Republic's Duane Rankin that he hadn't spoken with his coach over that span.

“We don’t have a relationship,” Nurkić said about Budenholzer. “So, it’s fine. For me, just be a pro and do the best I can."

When Budenholzer was asked about Nurkić's comments, he said in January, per Rankin: “There’s been conversations that have been had. There’s been communication, but we’ve got three or four guys that play the same position. We’re going to go with who we think gives us our best chance. You’ve got to earn your minutes. And that’s been communicated.”

The Athletic's Doug Haller, Sam Amick and Fred Katz reported on Monday that "Budenholzer’s inability to manage his locker room had everything to do with the decision" to fire him after the 2024-25 season.

According to Haller, Amick and Katz, Budenholzer's "contention relationship" with Devin Booker, "as well as several other key players, was internally seen as a major issue."

Haynes had previously reported that Budenholzer had told Booker during a meeting this season that the star was being "too vocal on the court and during timeout huddles."

Nurkić had been a full-time starting center dating back to his 2017-18 campaign with the Portland Trail Blazers prior to his benching.

He continued coming off the bench in Charlotte, where his chances of starting depended on the availability of Mark Williams.

Nurkić averaged 9.2 points, 6.5 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game while playing 18.1 minutes per night in 26 appearances and nine starts for the Hornets. When asked by WFNZ's Walker Mehl what he most wanted in his role in the NBA next season, Nurkić answered, "Minutes."