Jamal Murray’s No.2 Option Status with Nuggets Cause for Concern

If you’re wondering about the prospects that Nikola Jokić would request a trade out of Denver, you should likely think again. Never has The Joker indicated he would want to leave Denver, not after last season’s disappointing end or this season’s similar end. Jokić is the standard in Denver, and will be the No.1 option until he decides to leave for either another NBA team, or his horses back home, permanently. There might be more concerning questions surrounding the Nuggets’ No.2 option: Jamal Murray. The former champion was instrumental in Denver’s title run two seasons ago, but was not in similar form either last year or this year. Murray is under the microscope following an especially underperforming second-round series against the Oklahoma City Thunder that ended Denver’s postseason. 

Jamal Murray’s No.2 Option Status with Nuggets Cause for Concern

ESPN’s Brian Windhorst points to Denver Nuggets’ depth issues; Jamal Murray’s future beside Nikola Jokić

Is Murray a legitimate second star? He’s certainly been a star at times over the years. He was a star when Denver won their franchise’s first title in 2023. He has the ability to play as a star—the talent, gifting, skillset—and isn’t shy of clutch moments in important playoff games. However, the combination of injuries and inconsistencies in the regular and postseason means Murray can’t always be counted on. You could argue that Denver should have two rings at this point. You could also argue that they don’t, due to Murray. Now, not all of Denver’s shortcomings since their title run are upon Murray’s shoulders. The Nuggets have had depth issues ever since they let Bruce Brown and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope walk out the door. 

Jokić, as phenomenal as he is, can’t win titles alone. It’s not usual for a big man to carry a team in that way. Shaquille O’Neal couldn’t do it, Tim Duncan couldn’t do it, and even Kareem Abdul-Jabbar couldn’t. He had Magic Johnson alongside him for five of his six titles, and one with Oscar Robinson. For one title, Jokić had Murray, but he hasn’t had that same version of Murray since.

Whether the Nuggets would ever contemplate trading Murray for an upgraded version to pair with Jokić is unlikely at this point. However, more questions than answers surround Murray, and his last playoff outing didn’t help his case. That said, Denver has more issues than Murray, and NBA insider Brian Windhorst adds depth to those issues.

Fixing a much needed flaw

According to Windhorst, who recently appeared on the Dan Patrick Show to discuss the Nuggets, Denver has roster flaws that became evident during the regular season. Regarding depth, Denver barley has it. Unfortunately, Michael Porter Jr. dealt with a shoulder injury for much of the playoff run. Russell Westbrook was unreliable as well. Outside of Denver’s starting five, only Russell and, to some degree, Peyton Watson received playing minutes off the bench. Julian Strawther had one big game in the Thunder series, but was otherwise off the floor in Denver’s two series.

While the Nuggets have a championship-caliber starting five, retooling the bench and improving their depth is a necessary focus of attention this offseason. Denver’s depth issues have contributed to their early playoff exits in the last two seasons. What the Nuggets do over the summer in that regard will be something to keep an eye on. Either way, there will be some change in Denver this offseason; that much can be expected.

 

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