USA Today via Reuters
Apr 20, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray (27) reacts to dunking the ball during the first quarter against the Los Angeles Lakers in game one of the first round for the 2024 NBA playoffs at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Wevers-USA TODAY Sports
USA Today via Reuters
Apr 20, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray (27) reacts to dunking the ball during the first quarter against the Los Angeles Lakers in game one of the first round for the 2024 NBA playoffs at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Wevers-USA TODAY Sports
Despite Nikola Jokić running the show with the team and the Denver Nuggets strengthening their point guard position by trading Reggie Jackson for Russell Westbrook, the loss of Bruce Brown and KCP is still affecting them. Their bench isn’t as deep as it once was. If they start the season slowly, they might need to make a significant trade. As fans were expecting them to make a blockbuster trade, the Nuggets signed a 4-year, $208 million extension deal with Jamal Murray. This is despite Murray having a tough season, particularly during the summer.
As mixed feelings surround the decision, NBA insiders Trevor Lane and Keith Smith weighed in on Jamal Murray’s extension during the NBA Front Office show. “He [Jamal Murray] had a terrible summer. He was not good in the playoffs, efficiency wise. He was not good in the Olympics, but the Nuggets had to do this, didn’t they?” Trevor Lane said. And for anyone wondering, yeah, Murray struggled. He barely put up 20 points and struggled with shooting, and then things got uglier in the Olympics. Averaging just 6 points on a rough 29% from the field, it was bad.
On top of everything, Jamal Murray still has injury concerns. “I am a little worried that something’s going on with his knee,” Keith Smith added. Denver Nuggets star Jamal Murray has had a rough season with injuries. He was dealing with lower body issues, especially with his knee, throughout both the regular season and playoffs.
That knee is still a concern, especially since he missed seven games last season because of a strained right knee. It’s been a tough ride for Murray, and it’s a real downer to see him hit with so many setbacks. But remember, this is the same dude who pushed through a torn ACL to help the Nuggets snag their first NBA title in 2023. You can’t just write Murray off—he’s shown time and again that he’s got the heart and grit to come back strong.
“You are not gonna be able to replace him” – Trevor Lane on Jamal Murray
Jamal Murray might not have been on fire in the postseason, but his regular season was legit. He averaged an impressive 43% from beyond the arc, which is no joke.“You are not gonna be able to replace him if he walks away next summer and things like that,” Lane said. But here’s the kicker: with his injury issues and a rough postseason, can he make the switch and get back to his peak form?
“He shot the hell out the ball last season[regular season], that’s phenomenal. This if you have any concern that something is going on, then this could become very problematic because the Nuggets are gonna be that much more reliant this coming season on Jamal Murray to knock down shots and be hyper-efficient,” Lane added. “The guy that we have seen against my Lakers, against the Wolves and playing for Canada was not that guy.”
Jamal Murray is one of the Nuggets’ top players. They need him at his best if they’re going for the championship this season. It’s a big gamble, and it’s tough. Murray has the skills, but can he bounce back and deliver like we know he can? The stakes are super high, and the uncertainty makes it all the more emotional as the season kicks off.
What are your thoughts on this? Let us know in the comments.
Debate
Did the Nuggets make a $208 million mistake with Jamal Murray? What do you think?