Back in September of 2023, the Portland Trail Blazers acquired a mercurial starting center from the Phoenix Suns as part of a multi-team series of deals centering around Blazers franchise leader Damian Lillard. Portland put their money on Deandre Ayton, who was under pressure to prove himself as worthy of a prime rotation spot, reliable in a pinch, and capable of helping his team to success.
Turns out the Blazers weren’t the only team that got a center like that.
In return for Ayton, the Blazers sent Phoenix Jusuf Nurkic, whose passing, rebounding, and mid-range scoring were supposed to complement Kevin Durant and Devin Booker.