Many were stupefied when the Utah Jazz traded Collin Sexton (along with a second-round pick) to acquire Jusuf Nurkic. Besides trading Sexton for minimal value, the Jazz's frontcourt was already overstocked as it was, so why add another center to the team? During Nurkic's press conference, Nurkic may have revealed the real reason: veteran leadership.
During Nurkic's introductory press conference, he was surprised that he was, in fact, the oldest player on the Jazz's roster (after Jordan Clarkson's buyout). However, upon making this realization, Nurkic explained why he's excited to be the oldest veteran in the locker room.
"Sounds crazy that I'm the oldest, but I'm looking forward to it," Nurkic said. "Just to be a leader for them, showing the way and how to be a pro; that's super important."
Nurkic isn't the player he used to be, but he has extensive experience playing for playoff teams. He has been there before, so he can use what he has learned over the years to influence the Jazz players of tomorrow. Utah has brought in players like this in the past, like when they signed Patty Mills. He was past his prime by the time he became a Jazzman, but he was a dependable veteran.
Plus, in Utah, there won't be any pressure on him like there was back when he played for Portland and Phoenix. Nurkic can come in and play, and with Utah's big man rotation as big as it it now, he can fill in for when any of the other Jazz big men are hurt.
The Jazz have promised that fans won't see a repeat of last season, so don't expect Nurkic to play because Lauri Markkanen or Walker Kessler have a spontaneous finger injury and whatnot.
But will Nurkic stay in Utah for the whole season?
The Jazz may be more than comfortable to give Nurkic a small role in the rotation, but they sent a message with the other moves they made this offseason. Trading Sexton and buying Clarkson out, among other decisions, means they are not letting anything get in the way of their organic tank this coming season.
Nurkic isn't the player those two are, but he fits better on a team with playoff aspirations than he does with the Jazz. That's not to say there's any pressure to do anything drastic right away, as, at the very least, this will be a simple one-year rental at most.
On paper, it would make sense if Nurkic isn't with Utah for long. They may try to trade him to a team desperate for some big man help, even if the veteran wouldn't likely be their first choice. If they get no bites, it's hard to see him finishing out the season with the Jazz unless his veteran leadership truly proves to be invaluable.
Holding an introductory press conference insinuates that the Bosnian Beast will be on the team when the season starts, but don't be shocked if Nurkic is a midseason buyout candidate come next February.