Phoenix Suns head coach Mike Budenholzer has expressed confidence in veteran center Jusuf Nurkić, indicating that he expects Nurkić to be prepared for action should he be called upon to rejoin the team’s lineup. Nurkić did not participate in the Suns' recent 114-106 victory over the Utah Jazz, marking his second consecutive game as a healthy scratch. Budenholzer commented to reporters, emphasizing the professionalism of the player. 'He’s a pro,' he stated. 'He’s got to be ready. Everybody is earning their minutes. Everybody is earning their opportunities. We're going to need everybody as we go through the season.'

Nurkić's absence from the court comes after a series of events that included a suspension spanning three games at the end of December and into January. Upon his return to eligibility, Budenholzer decided to utilize Nurkić in a bench role during a 109-99 win against the Philadelphia 76ers on January 6. This marked a significant change for the 7-foot center, as it was the first instance since the 2016-17 season in which he was employed as a reserve. However, his current situation is even more concerning, as he has not seen any playing time in the last two contests.

Analyzing Nurkić's performance metrics reveals some context behind Budenholzer's lineup decisions. Currently, Nurkić averages 8.6 points per game on a shooting percentage of 45.5, complemented by 9.2 rebounds. Furthermore, the Suns have recorded a minus-6.5 net rating while he is on the floor, according to data from NBA.com. The situation of downgrading a longtime starter inevitably introduces complications within the team's locker room dynamic. Moreover, the prospect of trading Nurkić becomes increasingly challenging for the Suns, particularly with his lack of recent playing time. Reports from The Arizona Republic’s Duane Rankin highlighted that the team was 'actively looking' to move him in December. As the Suns currently find themselves in 11th place in the Western Conference with a record of 18-19, Budenholzer must implement strategies that are beneficial for the team's overall performance. Notably, Phoenix has achieved victories in three of their last four matches with Mason Plumlee starting at center, while Nurkić remains on the bench, suggesting that this arrangement may persist for the foreseeable future.