Jusuf Nurkic, Jazz Reportedly Agree to New Contract amid Walker Kessler Rumors

Veteran center Jusuf Nurkić is reportedly returning to the Utah Jazz after agreeing to a two-year, $22 million contract, according to ESPN's Shams Charania.

Nurkić confirmed the new deal on social media:

The Jazz acquired Nurkić last summer from the Charlotte Hornets for guard Collin Sexton and a future second-round pick. Bolstering the depth inside proved to be a shrewd move after Walker Kessler underwent season-ending shoulder surgery only five games into the year.

However, Nurkić's campaign also came to a premature end when he had surgery for a deviated septum in February. He made 41 appearances, averaging 10.9 points on 50.3 percent shooting along with 10.4 rebounds and 4.8 assists.

The 31-year-old's best performance came in a losing effort against the Boston Celtics in December. He scored a season-high 26 points, adding eight rebounds and eight assists.

During his exit interview with the media, Nurkić said he was open to reuniting with the Jazz. With the franchise in a rebuild, he said he played a little freer on the court.

Utah isn't lacking in options inside, though, especially if it winds up re-signing Kessler.

Tony Jones of The Athletic reported Utah offered Kessler the qualifying offer, which allows him to become a restricted free agent. Sam Amick of The Athletic previously reported Kessler was "at odds with the front office over his lack of an extension offer last summer and the current handling of his restricted free agency."

Elsewhere, Kyle Filipowski has logged 70-plus appearances in each of his first two years after the Jazz selected him in the second round of the 2024 draft. The organization also made Jaren Jackson Jr. a big part of its future when it got him ahead of the 2026 trade deadline.

Nurkić provides experience and a relatively stable baseline at the 5. The fact he has bounced around as much as he has the last few years is pretty telling as to his value, though.

Hovering just above 50 percent as a career shooter isn't ideal for a player who spends so much time close to the basket, and he's not exceptionally mobile to cover a lot of space on defense.

Altogether, Nurkić should remain perfectly fine in Utah. There are nights where he'll generate some frustration, but on the whole he'll contribute solid minutes in the frontcourt.