Denver Nuggets: 15 best draft picks of all-time
By John Buhler
Though he has only been with the Nuggets organization for two years, the future is certainly blinding bright for guard Jamal Murray. The former Canadian sharpshooter from the University of Kentucky was taken No. 7 overall in the 2016 NBA Draft. Look for Murray to be a cornerstone for this Nuggets franchise as they continue to make their push as a potential Western Conference Playoffs team for years to come.
Murray has played in all but one game in his two years with the Nuggets. Initially, he came off the bench as a rookie at the two-guard at just 19 years old. He would make the All-Rookie second team in 2017 and was named the NBA Rising Stars Challenge MVP during 2017 NBA All-Star weekend. As a rookie, Murray would average 9.9 points, 2.6 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game in 21.5 minutes per contest.
Yes, that was a promising rookie season for Murray. But what has him at No. 8 already on this list was his seamless transition from reserve shooting guard to starting point guard. No, the Emmanuel Mudiay experiment did not go over well, as the Nuggets’ former first-round floor general was shipped mid-season to the lowly New York Knicks.
Stepping up big time was Murray in his sophomore campaign. He would average 16.7 points, 3.7 rebounds and 3.4 assists in 31.7 minutes per contest. Murray would start 80 of 81 games for the 2017-18 Nuggets predominantly at the point. Though he may never be a great primary ball handler, Murray has the potential to be an All-Star combo guard in the Western Conference for years to come. In his first year starting at the point, Denver finished one game shy of playoff qualification.