Denver Nuggets GM reveals plan for Jamal Murray’s contract extension

Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray is due for a contract extension next summer. His current deal will expire after the 2024-25 season, and if Denver doesn’t want him testing free agency, then they’re going to have to secure him for the long term.

Nuggets general manager Calvin Booth fully expects the team to pay him, even if he qualifies for a supermax extension. In order to qualify, Murray will have to be named to an All-NBA team this season. He’d then be eligible for a five-year, $305 million extension, similar to the one the Boston Celtics gave to Jaylen Brown this summer.

Booth explained to The Athletic’s Sam Amick that he sees Murray as a “supermax guy.”

“I think [Murray] is just trying to maximize his earnings,” Booth told Amick. “Look, he’s an All-NBA talent. I think he knows what the benchmark is, what he needs to achieve. I mean, obviously, at the end of the day, it’s in the voters’ hands, not his. But whatever is in his control to make that team, we fully expect him to do it this year. We’re moving forward as if he’s going to be a supermax guy because I know when Jamal sets his mind to something it usually happens.”

Will Jamal Murray ball out for the Denver Nuggets and earn an All-NBA nod?

It feels like it’s overdue, to be honest. Murray had a great season last year, after coming back from a torn ACL that he suffered in 2021. The Canadian guard averaged 20 points per game while shooting 45.4% from the field and 39.8% from long-range.

His numbers shot up in the postseason, too. He caught fire and helped the Nuggets capture their first-ever NBA title.

Media members took notice, make no mistake. They’re the ones who vote on these things, so having them in his corner will be huge for Murray.

Last season, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst mentioned that when supermax extensions hang in the balance, he usually tries to vote guys to All-NBA if it’ll get them paid.