Nuggets’ Jamal Murray on nerves and NBA trade rumors

Jamal Murray’s name has appeared in NBA trade rumors as the Denver Nuggets are a potential partner for the Cleveland Cavaliers in a Kyrie Irving deal. As you’d expect, that’s caused a few nerves.

NBA trade rumors can be tough. They’re tough for fans wondering who their team might land, they’re tough for writers trying to keep on top of everything, and they’re toughest for the players who can be caught off guard on social media by reports revealing their potential destination. All it takes is an unexpected tweet to reveal a life-changing event if the news breaks before teams make contact with their players. Jamal Murray of the Denver Nuggets has a little taste of what that’s like.

Murray seemed like an untouchable part of the Nuggets’ young core earlier this summer. He put together a strong rookie season and showed so many signs that his smooth, well-rounded offensive game has a ton of promise. The team’s weak point guard rotation also heightens his importance as a ball handler, which should make them that much more inclined to keep him. That said, when a stud like Kyrie Irving becomes available for trade, one who’s a point guard as well, Murray emerged as a rumored part of possible deals that could be made with the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Speaking to Donnovan Bennett of Sportsnet, Murray mentioned how nerve wracking it is to not know what’s happening:

"“It’s different knowing I could be in Cleveland right now. I could be in Minnesota. I could be anywhere in a couple days. It’s kind of nerve wracking because you don’t know what’s going on and there are so many rumours. I just have to stay ready and prepared for any opportunity.”"

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Murray could have easily been in Cleveland now for all he knows. In addition to Gary Harris, who was going to be involved in the three-team trade with Cleveland and Indiana for Kevin Love that never came to fruition, Murray is one of the Nuggets’ most valuable assets.

Along with Harris, Murray could form an enticing package in a trade for Irving, but right now we haven’t heard of any more developments on that front as the Cavs take their time in waiting for the right offer, and a big one at that.

It’s hard for any NBA player to deal with their name being in trade rumors, especially when they’re only a 20-year-old rookie, trying to adjust to the league and settle into a promising situation like Denver.

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It’s something Murray will get get used to in time, though. And unless it’s absolute necessary to secure a major deal, he’s the kind of high-upside player that the Nuggets should do all they can to keep.