Jusuf Nurkic is staying with the Portland Trail Blazers, agreeing Friday to a reported four-year deal that pays him less than the club offered him earlier in the season -- an offer he turned down.
The Blazers announced Nurkic's deal later Friday, though they did not confirm the terms.
The 23-year-old restricted free agent agreed to a contract which will pay him $48 million and includes a partial guarantee in the final year, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, who added the center "turned down a more lucrative four-year deal several months ago."
Nurkic averaged 14.3 points and 9.0 rebounds last season, helping Portland to a 49-33 record and the third seed in the Western Conference playoffs. He has averaged 10.4 points, 7.3 rebounds and 1.2 blocks in his four seasons in Denver and Portland.
"As a 23-year old starting center, Jusuf is an integral part of the core of this roster," said Blazers president of basketball operations Neil Olshey in the team release. "He has been an impactful addition since joining our team and we are excited about the prospect of this long-term commitment leading to continued individual and team success."
The Nuggets selected Nurkic No. 16 overall in 2014 but traded him to Portland in February 2017.
