Report: Jusuf Nurkic to Traiblazers for Plumlee, picks
Sources on @TheVertical: Portland sends Denver center Mason Plumlee and '18 2nd-round pick for Jusuf Nurkic and '17 first-rounder (via Griz)— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojVerticalNBA) February 12, 2017
The Portland Trailblazers have reportedly agreed to send center Mason Plumlee and a 2018 second-round pick to the Denver Nuggets in exchange for center Jusuf Nurkic and a 2017 first-round pick (via the Memphis Grizzlies), per the Vertical's Adrian Wojnaraowski. This move gives Portland three first-round picks in the 2017 NBA Draft, widely believed to be one of the more deep in recent memory, and Denver a capable, mobile big man to play along emerging star Nikola Jokic.
Nurkic, who has averaged close to six boards, a block and eight points per nearly 18 minutes a game over his three seasons in Denver, will likely blossom into a solid starting center on a club with a less crowded frontcourt, making the move near-ideal for Portland, so long as expectations are tempered - and something of a confusing one for Denver, longer-term. Still, one can't help but wonder if Boston whiffed on what looks like an easily-superable deal given the club's available assets and nagging rebounding issues, especially considering Nurkic still has another season of rookie scale remaining after 2016-17.
is this worth it? Jusuf Nurkic? Or will Portland flip him and reverse it? Izznyerfinivififlanyep https://t.co/IkMa8XfKqD— Rodger Sherman (@rodger_sherman) February 12, 2017
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