Will Jusuf Nurkic, Robert Williams III, Jonathan Isaac Be Traded? Insider Weighs In
A trio of NBA big men—Utah Jazz center Jusuf Nurkić, Portland Trail Blazers center Robert Williams III and Orlando Magic forward Jonathan Isaac—could be on the move, per Jake Fischer for the Stein Line newsletter.
Regarding Nurkić, Fischer had this to say: "Jusuf Nurkić, meanwhile, has performed well enough in Utah that he's also expected to generate some interest from rival teams as he plays out his own $19.3 million expiring deal."
The 31-year-old Nurkić has averaged 7.5 points, 9.6 rebounds and 1.6 steals in 24.7 minutes per game. He's started 12 of 17 games for the Jazz.
Fischer also spoke about the 28-year-old Williams, who is playing out a four-year, $48 million extension that expires after this season and is paying him $13.3 million in 2025-26.
"I've also been told that Portland is forecasted to be more willing to move Robert Williams III this season compared to last season, when the Trail Blazers maintained a high asking price for the oft-injured big man."
Williams has averaged 4.8 points on 64.1 percent shooting, 4.5 rebounds and 1.1 blocks in 13.1 minutes per game this season (11 contests).
Unfortunately, injuries have kept Williams off the court for large stretches of time over the years. He played just 35 games in 2022-23, six games in 2023-24 and 20 games in 2024-25.
As for Isaac, the 28-year-old, who has been with the Magic since they took him with the sixth overall pick in the 2017 NBA draft, is playing on a five-year, $84 million contract extension that runs through 2028-29.
Fischer pointed out some potential salary cap issues for the Magic.
"Rival cap strategists are thus increasingly pinpointing Isaac as a potential salary casualty in the Magic Kingdom given the expensive territory that looms with Paolo Banchero's max extension kicking in next season on top of the large deals Orlando awarded to Franz and Jalen Suggs before absorbing Desmond Bane's own sizable contract via trade."
He hasn't been featured much in the rotation this year, playing just 10 minutes per game and posting 2.9 points on 43.9 percent shooting and 3.2 rebounds in 17 contests.
This year's NBA trade deadline is Feb. 5 at 3 p.m. ET. All three big men should be names to watch until that point.
