Report: Suns shopping Nurkic, dangling Beal for Butler

The Phoenix Suns are looking to trade center Jusuf Nurkic for another big man, league sources told The Arizona Republic's Duane Rankin.

Chicago Bulls center Nikola Vucevic and Washington Wizards veteran Jonas Valanciunas are among the players included in discussions, according to Rankin.

In his second campaign with the Suns, Nurkic is averaging 9.1 points, 9.6 rebounds, 1.7 assists, and 1.7 stocks (steals and blocks combined) in 21 games. The franchise acquired him as part of the Damian Lillard three-team trade in 2023, which also sent former No. 1 pick Deandre Ayton to the Portland Trail Blazers.

Nurkic is in the third season of a four-year, $70-million contract. In its final year, he'll make $19.4 million.

Phoenix also remains interested in Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler and is having conversations about a trade that would include wing Bradley Beal, league sources told Rankin.

To make the deal work, Beal would need to waive his no-trade clause. The 31-year-old is averaging 18.4 points, 3.9 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and 1.7 stocks with Phoenix this campaign.

Butler has a player option this summer and would reportedly accept a trade to the Suns. He's also expressed interest in the Golden State Warriors, Houston Rockets, and Dallas Mavericks.

The Suns have dropped three straight contests, placing them 11th in the Western Conference with a 14-14 record. They take on the Denver Nuggets on Christmas Day.