(Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
The Phoenix Suns finally moved on from Deandre Ayton, who didn’t look like someone who wanted to be there at all.
They made the most of the Damian Lillard sweepstakes to move their former No. 1 pick and get some depth in return, headlined by Jusuf Nurkic’s acquisition.
Nurkic is a veteran and doesn’t have the same ceiling as Ayton, but he was a better fit for what Frank Vogel needed from his big man, and it showed right away.
The former Portland Trail Blazer was at his best in his first game with his new team, scoring 14 points on 5-of-8 shooting — including 3-of-3 from the free-throw line and 1-of-2 from beyond the arc — to go along with 14 rebounds (via StatMuse).
That’s why fans took to Twitter to react to his strong debut, including several apologies for doubting him.
Others, however, remain unimpressed.
Every one thought they were foolish trading ayton
— imghut (@imgrpost) October 25, 2023
Big Boards man and a clutch bucket……fire nurk
— . (@Kd7_Szn) October 25, 2023
Fools gold imo
— Ibriham A Turay (@IbrihamTuray) October 25, 2023
Some suns fan want him to be jokic, all he has to do is get rebounds everything else is a cherry on top
— Andy lol Nunez (@AndylolNun29202) October 25, 2023
He’s a perfect fit offensively but he struggles moving defensively and staying healthy. In one game he’s great but we have to hope he works out for the season
— Herbo (@z__herbo) October 25, 2023
On paper, moving on from a former No. 1 pick to get a journeyman veteran should be considered a major loss for the front office.
But Ayton wasn’t the defensive-minded interior presence the Suns and coach Vogel needed.
Nurkic is a perfect fit around their three scorers, and it’s not like he’s going to be needed to do a lot more than set screens, get some rebounds, and swat some shots.
He may not be an All-Star, but big men often thrive under Vogel, and he could be the kind of impactful addition that could end up being the biggest difference for this championship-hopeful team.
The post Fans React To Jusuf Nurkic’s Strong Debut With Suns appeared first on The Cold Wire.