Jamal Murray is a core part of the Denver Nuggets roster. He helped them safe the 2023 NBA championship and has proved himself to be the second-best participant on Mike Malone’s workforce. Nevertheless, Murray’s damage historical past is a professional concern. Simply final season, he missed 23 video games and is simply three years faraway from an ACL damage.
However, the Nuggets have gambled on Murray’s upside as they give the impression of being to contend for an additional championship within the coming years. In line with ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Denver has signed Murray to a four-year, $208 million contract extension — the utmost quantity he may signal for.
“The deal — which retains Murray out of free company subsequent summer time — ties one of many franchise cornerstones to the Nuggets for a complete of 5 seasons and $244 million,” Wojnarowski reported. “Murray will earn $36 million this coming season earlier than a bump to $46.4 million in 2025-26. He’ll make $50.1 million in 2026-27, $53.8 million in 2027-28 and $57.5 million within the last 12 months of the deal, in line with ESPN’s Bobby Marks.”
By giving Murray the utmost amount of cash attainable, Denver is standing behind its star guard and displaying it trusts he can stay wholesome sufficient to steer the workforce to a different championship. Final season, Murray averaged 21.2 factors, 4.1 rebounds and 6.5 assists whereas capturing 48.1% from the sphere and 42.5% from three-point vary. You may’t argue with that kind of manufacturing out of your second possibility, particularly when enjoying subsequent to a nexus-event-level expertise like Nikola Jokic.
However, Murray’s damage historical past is a good concern. If he is unable to constantly stay on the court docket, the Nuggets might be restricted of their possibilities of success. With out Murray within the rotation, groups can load up on Jokic whereas limiting Aaron Gordon’s effectiveness as an off-ball weapon.
Nonetheless, the Nuggets are proper to pay Murray. Not solely are they paying him for what he brings to the roster and what they may obtain with him sooner or later, however they’re additionally paying him for what he is carried out previously. Murray is without doubt one of the higher guards within the league. He is an excellent match subsequent to Jokic. And he is one of many higher second choices within the NBA.
If Murray will help lead Denver to a second championship, his new contract will appear to be a cut price.
