Report: Jusuf Nurkić to remain with Jazz

The unprotected picks the Jazz will receive are in 2031 and 2033 and the pick swaps are in 2028 and 2030. Kessler will sign a massive four-year, $130 million extension with the Lakers. Los Angeles had been talking with Pistons center Jalen Duren about acquiring him in a sign-and-trade, but the Lakers took action here in completing the deal for Kessler. The 24-year-old center spent the first four years of his career with the Jazz, averaging 9.5 points and 9.3 rebounds. He’s the big winner from this trade from a fantasy perspective if he can stay healthy. The Lakers are now hard capped to the first apron and have no first-round picks to trade.

Two days after The Athletic reported that Kessler was frustrated with the Jazz front office as free agency approaches, more details emerged regarding the contract offered by Utah. According to MacMahon, Utah proposed an offer worth close to $140 million over five years. However, while this would be the most lucrative contract ever given to a center who had yet to make an All-Star team, there are still hard feelings between Kessler and the Jazz front office. In Monday’s report, Kessler not receiving an extension before the start of the 2025-26 season was cited as a factor, and it’s another issue the two sides will need to work through if they want to move forward as partners.

Kessler, limited to five games this season after suffering a shoulder injury, will be a restricted free agent on June 30. While the Jazz can match any offer sheet that Kessler agrees to, they can also negotiate with the center before he hits the open market. However, according to Amick’s reporting, Kessler is not pleased with the franchise essentially leveraging his pending restricted free agency against the 7-footer. As a result, he’s reportedly more willing to consider the idea of playing elsewhere. Given the need for rim protectors, there will be a market for Kessler at the end of the month. After not offering him an extension last fall, the Jazz seem content to see what Kessler’s price will be before deciding on his future with the franchise, especially with Lauri Markkanen and Jaren Jackson Jr. on large contracts. Wherever he plays next season, a healthy Kessler has top-50 fantasy potential, especially for those willing to punt free-throw percentage.

In a move that should shock nobody, another member of the Jazz has been shut down for the season. Nurkić’s absence should free up plenty of playing time for Kyle Filipowski, but Utah’s rotations have no rhyme or reason as the team looks to win as few games as possible down the stretch.

Due to nose injury management, Nurkić will miss a second consecutive game. Kyle Filipowski started Friday’s loss to the Grizzlies, playing 28 minutes. In theory, he should remain in the starting lineup, but Utah’s handling of Filipowski’s workload has been a bit puzzling at times. Fantasy managers should operate under the assumption that Filipowski will get another start.

The veteran center will be in street clothes for Friday’s matchup, marking his 16th missed game of the season. Nurkić is enjoying a nice bounce-back season, posting averages of 10.9 points, 10.4 rebounds, and 4.8 assists over his 41 appearances. Without him in the lineup, Utah will rely on Kyle Filipowski and Oscar Tshiebwe for frontcourt minutes.

Love’s absence isn’t meaningful now that Jaren Jackson Jr. is on the roster. Kyle Filipowski may see a few extra minutes behind Jusuf Nurkić, but Filipowski isn’t worth a look while competing for minutes in a crowded Utah frontcourt.

After missing Utah’s last two games, Love is on track to be available for Saturday’s game. However, with Jaren Jackson Jr., Kyle Filipowski and Jusuf Nurkić available, there may not be enough minutes for Love to affect fantasy basketball. Nurkić has been a DNP-CD in the last two games; if he isn’t starting, don’t expect him to play.

Love has missed Utah’s last two games due to illness. His availability does not affect fantasy basketball, especially with the Jazz adding Jaren Jackson Jr. at the trade deadline. While it remains to be seen how much JJJ and Jusuf Nurkić will play on Saturday, Love is not likely to get the minutes needed to offer value.

While teammate Isaiah Collier played all 48 minutes, Markkanen didn’t even play half that. The Jazz forward logged 23 minutes in Atlanta, and that’s one of the concerns for fantasy managers who have him rostered. The good news is that Markkanen actually played, unlike Jusuf Nurkić, who was active. Hopefully, for the sake of those who have Lauri rostered, the Jazz will rule him out when he isn’t playing, rather than resorting to the Nurkić-related shenanigans of the last two games.