Report: Nurkic plans for restricted free agency absent Blazers extension

Center Jusuf Nurkic is planning for restricted free agency next summer with no contract extension yet from the Portland Trail Blazers, sources told The Vertical's Shams Charania. The deadline to sign such an extension is Monday.

Nurkic will be paid a little under $3 million this coming season, but the Blazers probably want to see a full year of health before deciding to commit to the 23-year-old Bosnian. He played 20 games for Portland last season after his acquisition from the Denver Nuggets, but was sidelined down the stretch.

Nurkic has never played more than 65 games in three NBA seasons, but is a load when he's out there. He averaged 15.2 points and 10.4 boards with the Blazers in 2016-17.