Jusuf Nurkić recently sat down with Nico Cantor on the Sofascore Podcast for a wide-ranging conversation that touched on several of his former teammates around the league. Among the topics that stood out most was Nurkić’s candid, if a bit meandering, take on Kevin Durant, with whom he shared a locker room during his brief stint with the Phoenix Suns. Nurkić is known around the NBA for being unfiltered in interviews, and his comments about Durant were no exception, offering a mix of admiration, hesitation, and genuine respect for one of basketball’s most scrutinized superstars.
“He Always Trained to Be the Best”
When Cantor brought up Durant’s name, Nurkić didn’t hesitate to praise his former teammate’s demeanor and drive, even as he searched for the right words. He described Durant as someone who is easygoing off the court but relentlessly self-critical when it comes to his craft. According to Nurkić, Durant carries a never-satisfied mentality in the best possible sense of the phrase, a player who has already cemented a Hall of Fame résumé yet still approaches the gym as if he has something left to prove. Nurkić emphasized that Durant has poured an enormous amount of time into refining his game, and that basketball has essentially been his entire life since childhood.
“KD, man… okay, let’s do this. I think we know that one, right? He’s really chill, though — I’ll give him that. He’s worked hard, but I feel like he’s never satisfied, in a good way,” said Nurkic.
“He always trained to be the best. He’s put a lot of time into it. I don’t think he’s ever satisfied with his work, and basketball’s been his whole life. I think that’s kind of what fits him — in a good way, not a never-satisfied-in-a-bad-way kind of thing.”
Choosing His Words Carefully
True to form, Nurkić was noticeably careful not to overstate his comments or spark unnecessary headlines. He acknowledged mid-conversation that he didn’t want the clip to “go viral,” a nod to how quickly NBA podcast soundbites can be taken out of context and blown up on social media. That caution didn’t stop him from offering a genuine, if unfiltered, assessment; he simply chose to keep his praise grounded rather than lean into hyperbole. It’s a reminder that even brief podcast appearances from current players carry real weight in today’s media landscape, where a single quote can dominate NBA discourse for days.
Nurkić’s Path Back to Utah
The podcast appearance comes at a notable moment for Nurkić, who intends to sign a two-year, $22 million contract to return to the Utah Jazz, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania. The deal was reportedly worked out between Jazz officials and Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul. Nurkić thrived under coach Will Hardy’s system last season and expressed enthusiasm about Utah’s retooled roster heading into the new campaign.
With starting center Walker Kessler sidelined for most of last season, Nurkić stepped into the void and delivered one of the more well-rounded statistical seasons in the league, averaging 10.9 points, 10.4 rebounds and 4.8 assists per game. That production placed him in rare company; he was one of only three players, alongside Nikola Jokić and Jalen Johnson, to average at least those numbers over at least 20 games.
A Veteran Voice Entering Year 13
Now entering his 12th year as a professional, Nurkić has built a reputation as both a productive big man and one of the league’s most refreshingly honest interviews. Having played for five different franchises, he’s perhaps still best remembered for his years playing alongside Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum in Portland, a stretch that helped establish him as a reliable interior presence and vocal leader. His recent comments about Durant fit a broader pattern for Nurkić: thoughtful, occasionally rambling, but always sincere reflections on the players who have shaped his understanding of what it takes to succeed at the highest level of the sport.
As Nurkić prepares to return to Utah for the upcoming season, his willingness to speak openly, whether about his own game or the stars he’s shared a court with, continues to make him one of the league’s more engaging personalities, on and off the hardwood.
