Jamal Murray has by no means been an NBA All-Star. Nonetheless, the Denver Nuggets are about to present him an All-Star-level wage.
Based on Shams Charania of The Athletic, Murray is anticipated to signal a four-year contract extension price $209M.
Murray is a key piece of the Nuggets roster. He’s their second-best participant behind Nikola Jokic and the most effective clutch performers within the NBA. The Nuggets entrance workplace is smart to attempt to tie the veteran guard right down to a brand new contract.
The worth of the contract also needs to be taken into context. He might not be an All-Star, however to Denver, he’s an elite expertise who helped convey it a championship — the primary in franchise historical past. You reward that kind of success every time potential.
Murray will go down in Nuggets historical past for his accomplishments with the franchise.
When he is at his greatest, there are few higher playmakers than Murray, and there are few scorers extra dependable. This previous season, he 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.
Murray is an All-Star expertise who has been neglected through the voting course of. He might turn into an All-Star in some unspecified time in the future throughout his subsequent contract. In fact, he would possible forgo that privilege if it meant changing into a two-time NBA champion.
Denver is nearing signing one in every of its greatest gamers to an enormous contract. That is what a franchise is meant to do. Mike Malone’s workforce thrives because of its continuity. Shedding Murray would have derailed its present core and harm its probabilities of competing for a championship subsequent season.
To the Nuggets, Murray is an All-Star. He is their All-Star. And he is a participant who can flip the tide in tight video games.
You want those sorts of talents in your roster if you wish to contend on the pinnacle of the NBA.