Jazz are getting unlikely boost from player no other team wanted

The Utah Jazz came into this season open to pretty much anything, and even if they're not a playoff team, their standing is so much more promising, from Lauri Markkanen's resurgence to Keyonte George's breakout. The Jazz have to feel much better compared to last season. There's also been one Jazzman who's made for quite the story when no one thought it was possible: Jusuf Nurkic's comeback campaign.

When the Nurkic trade happened, it was met with universal condemnation, as Nurkic had been considered superfluous on the Jazz's roster. Not to mention, he has gotten a bad rap for how bad he looked when he was the Phoenix Suns' starting center. However, as the Jazz's emergency starting center, he has been a lot more useful than everyone would have anticipated.

More specifically, he's played a part in why George has been so much better for Utah this season. Sam Vecenie explained exactly how on the Game Theory Podcast.

"I think Jusuf Nurkic has been a big part of [George's] success," Vecenie said. "Nurkic's screening ability -- he's currently leading the league in screen assists (he's now second since this pod's release)... He is just an absolute mountain of a man. He loves to be physical with screens, and he's always great at making contact. He is really good at angling his body with pin screens to make it very difficult for defenders to get around him. That little bit of separation has helped Keyonte be able to get to the basket a little bit more easily."

Nurkic now trails only Domantas Sabonis for most screen assists per game, averaging 4.6, per NBA.com. Nurkic may not be what he used to be, but he's clearly carved out his niche in Utah. Plus, his abilities don't benefit only George.

Has Nurkic earned a second contract with Utah?

Nurkic has earned a fair amount of brownie points since becoming a Jazzman because he has embraced Utah. He has said all the right things (for the most part) and has done what he can to fill in for Walker Kessler.

Now in his 30s and not the two-way player he was in Portland, Nurkic probably won't see the same money he has been seeing for some time. However, his play in Utah has been impressive enough that he may be worth more than the veteran's minimum.

If he wants to stay in Utah, what works in his favor is that the Jazz will have plenty of cap space to keep him. Granted, the team will have two specifically bigger priorities: signing a big-time free agent and re-signing Kessler, but keeping Nurkic should definitely be an option.

All indications are, no matter how this season turns out, Utah will start trying by 2027. Nurkic has made a pretty compelling case to be part of the team when they do.