The tanking battle intensifies! Jazz center Nurkić is out for the season, and three key Kings players are also sidelined for the year.

As reported by Haynes on February 24th Beijing time, Utah Jazz center Nurkić is scheduled for nasal surgery tomorrow, ruling him out for the rest of the season. He has suffered from breathing and sleep difficulties since his nasal fracture several years back.

With Nurkić out for the season, the Jazz’s frontcourt will be filled by Filipovski, Love, and Žižić. Utah’s 2026 first-round pick is protected for the top 8 picks and will go to the Thunder if it falls between 9 and 30; they also hold first-round swap rights with the Timberwolves/Cavaliers, provided the pick remains with Utah.

This likely means the Jazz will need to tank to preserve their draft position. The tanking war is heating up, as the Kings, previously the league’s worst team, have now officially lost three key players for the season—Ravin, Little Sa, and Hunter are confirmed out for the remainder of the year.

Nurkić has played 41 games this season, starting 36 of them. The 31-year-old averages 26.4 minutes per game, with 10.9 points, 10.4 rebounds, and 4.8 assists. He has been out since the All-Star break. Earlier this season, he missed time due to a toe injury and was often rested by the coach. With his contract expiring soon (making $19.3 million annually), he was a hot trade candidate before the February 6 deadline.

The Jazz ultimately couldn’t find a suitable trade for him. His contract will expire at the end of this season, and Nurkić will become an unrestricted free agent seeking a new team. Utah is expected to have significant salary cap space this offseason to sign free agents and pursue trades.

Last summer, the Jazz traded a second-round pick to acquire Nurkić from the Hornets, a move that sparked controversy at the time. However, due to Kessler’s season-ending shoulder injury, Nurkić’s role on the court became more significant than initially anticipated.