NBA Rumors: Jazz, Jusuf Nurkic, Pistons, Kevin Huerter, Clippers

Jazz

Jusuf Nurkic is returning to the Jazz on a two-year, $22 million contract, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania.

Utah acquired Nurkic from Charlotte last offseason to bolster its frontcourt, and the veteran center wound up playing a much larger role than expected after Walker Kessler suffered a season-ending shoulder injury.

Nurkic averaged 10.9 points, 10.4 rebounds and 4.8 assists in 41 games before his season ended following nasal surgery.

The agreement comes as the Jazz continue negotiating a new contract with restricted free agent Kessler. If Kessler returns, Nurkic again projects to provide experienced depth in Utah’s frontcourt.

Pistons

The Pistons and Kevin Huerter have agreed to a three-year, $27 million contract, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania. The third year is a team option.

Detroit acquired Huerter from Chicago at the trade deadline, and while his outside shot hasn’t fully returned since shoulder surgery, the Pistons are clearly betting on the 27-year-old rediscovering the form that once made him one of the league’s more reliable perimeter shooters.

Huerter averaged 10.0 points in 69 games between the Bulls and Pistons last season.

The move also gives Detroit another floor spacer alongside Cade Cunningham after recently acquiring Isaiah Joe. What it means for Duncan Robinson‘s future with the organization remains to be seen.

Clippers

The Clippers exercised Brook Lopez‘s $9.2 million team option while declining options on Bogdan Bogdanovic and Nicolas Batum, according to multiple reports.

Lopez, 38, averaged 8.5 points and 1.2 blocks last season and remains part of the Clippers’ frontcourt plans despite ongoing roster reshuffling.

Bogdanovic and Batum, meanwhile, are headed to unrestricted free agency.

Bogdanovic was limited to 23 games by injuries and has already been linked to overseas clubs as well as the Nuggets. Batum, who will turn 38 later this year, now must decide whether to continue playing or consider retirement.