Temporary struggles wouldn’t let the Nuggets’ loyalty be questioned. The much-anticipated offseason saga of Jamal Murray came to an end with a lucrative $208 million extension extended to the veteran guard. Given his recent difficulties in the postseason and the Olympics, it was a polarizing decision. Some pundits were astonished by the franchise offering him the entire max deal given his shortcomings and ailment history. But Brian Windhorst and Co highlighted a bigger concern.

Early in the offseason, a key component Kentavious Caldwell-Pope decided to decline his player option. He ended up signing with the Magic for three years $66 million. It was believed the reason was the Nuggets’ unwillingness to exceed the second apron. But Tim MacMahon and Bontempts couldn’t comprehend their generosity toward Murray when they could have come to a common compromise and made space for KCP. It led them to question their team integrity.

“I’m not saying it was a bad contract, but Jamal Murray’s never made an All-Star team. He’s never made it to an All-NBA team. He’s never been particularly close to either. And that could have been negotiated to where they had some more financial flexibility… When they’re losing to Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, when they are, as Tim has mentioned several times, they’re extending Zeke Nnaji, which is a contract that now is stuck on their books, that they can’t really do anything with. Again, you add up these 8 or 10 million dollars, two or three different places, that’s a Kentavious Caldwell-Pope,” Bontemps explained.

It wouldn’t be the first time this offseason that a franchise player would sacrifice money for the greater good of the team. LeBron James did it for the Lakers. Jalen Brunson turned the other cheek over the prospect of earning $113 million more. Considering the Nuggets’ goodwill toward Murray during his dark days, he probably would have been on board to leave some money on the table.

For context, KCP will earn an average of $22 million per year. It’s only 7 million more than the $15 million payer option he declined. Yet, the Nuggets let him walk for nothing and to a contending rival only to offer Murray an exorbitant extension. They did the same for Bruce Brown. Both of these players were favored by their pillar Nikola Jokic. It seems there was another reason behind the Nuggest waiting this long to extend the Canadian guard.

Maybe money was never the issue with KCP?

When speaking about his exit from Denver, Caldwell-Pope cloaked sorrow in his voice. He admitted to eagerly waiting for a contract. However, it’s his words after that might have been more influential. “They wanted me just as much as I wanted to be on this squad” he said on what convinced him to sign for the blossoming Magic team who experienced a playoff berth last season.

Just days before, Nuggets GM Calvin Booth was posed with a question about the difficulties the CBA presents when trying to retain a pivotal piece such as KCP. His words though were eye-opening. “I think we’ll be okay if KCP doesn’t return” he said. According to reports, the Nuggets never acted on his contracts. But The Athletic’s Tony Jones heard something else.

According to him, the Mile High City offered a contract nearly identical to that of the Magic. But even then, Caldwell-Pope decided to sign with Orlando. State taxes could be one reason, but it’s hard to jump past Booth’s comments having an impact. Maybe he felt insulted and decided to leave despite having a contending offer on the table.

While it’s all speculation, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope is part of an exciting era in Orlando. Led by Paolo Banchero and Wagner, they showed intensity on both sides of the floor. Their spirited role players such as Jalen Suggs and Moritz Wagner played perfect complement to the star tandem. Now with KCP, not only do they get veteran experience, but also a man who has experienced championship success twice in his career.

It’s a marriage that seems destined to succeed. As for the Nuggets fans, the franchise might have lost a player that could have dramatically bolstered their chances to repeat their 2022 success.