The veteran center crowns Utah as the best organization of his 12-year career, citing elite perks like free gasoline and a family-first culture that outclasses his former teams.
Even before CEO Danny Ainge and the Utah Jazz's brass made a decision regarding Walker Kessler's future, they prioritized bringing back Jusuf Nurkić.
Kessler ended up being signed and traded to the Los Angeles Lakers, bringing two first-rounders and two first-round pick swaps back to Utah — allowing Nurkić the opportunity to build on his impressive 2025-26 campaign.
Across 41 games, the veteran center averaged 10.9 points, 10.4 rebounds and 2.5 assists while shooting 50.3 percent from the field — his first double-double season since 2023-24.
Nurkić also started 30 games for head coach Will Hardy, helping stabilize Utah's frontcourt after Kessler suffered a season-ending shoulder injury.
Now fully committed to competing in the Western Conference, the Jazz know under-the-radar players like Nurkić are critical to that pursuit.
Keeping those players happy off the floor is just as important.
Luckily for Ainge and Utah, they've built the type of environment veterans want to be part of.
In a recent interview with Sofascore, Nurkić pointed to several examples, beginning with one of the smallest details.
"The owner, Ryan Smith, he fills your gas tank every home game. They take care of your family. They care about your family. This is elite. This is not every team. So I think that's what I appreciate most," Nurkić said.
But the veteran center didn't stop at praising the Jazz's ownership for supplying him with petroleum. He offered his view of how Utah stacks up structurally compared to the Denver Nuggets, Portland Trail Blazers, Phoenix Suns and Charlotte Hornets.
"They're the best organization I've played for in my 12-year career," he continued. "Austin Ainge, Danny Ainge, the owner Ryan Smith, they just did a lot of small things that, you know, mean a lot."
Nurkić's comments seem to shed further light on a positive morale that has encapsulated every level of the Jazz as a whole.
When asked of Nurkic's and fellow veteran leader Kevin Love's impending free agency back in April, Lauri Markkanen made his stance on the duo clear.
"I would love to have both of them back. Really good friends with both. I think it would be a big thing for us..." Markkanen said. "I think those veteran guys who've been through it are very important."
Markkanen's praise suggests Nurkić isn't the only player who has taken notice of the culture Utah has built.
The Jazz believe they have the roster capable of climbing the Western Conference standings. Nurkić's comments suggest they may also have something equally valuable: an organizational culture players don't want to leave.
