The Denver Nuggets laid low during the 2025 NBA Draft without a pick, but came out swinging once free agency began. They went from being a threat with Nikola Jokic to a team that other squads in the West should especially fear -- and not just because of Jokic. Denver fans had the offseason of their dreams, but there is one major thing that would make the upcoming season even better.
Remember Jamal Murray? Of course you do. He's Jamal Murray. The guard is a star, but he's never been an All-Star, making him one of the best players in the league to never receive that honor.
Murray can be inconsistent at times (his health can be a reason for that), but when he's at his best, the Nuggets are impossible to stop. The Murray-Jokic duo is like no other. Jokic is the most important player on Denver's roster, but Murray's impact might be the most important.
If the 28-year-old can start the season healthy (and stay that way), the Nuggets' odds to be the team to make it out of the West over the Thunder will get stronger. Murray got off to a slow start last season after dealing with a calf strain in the 2024 playoffs, but he still finished the season playing 67 games.
Jamal Murray is key to Nuggets winning their second title
Murray's sole focus entering the season won't be traveling to Los Angeles during February for the All-Star Game, but that could (finally) happen if he rounds into form earlier than usual. There's no doubt he's been putting in the work.
Fans won't remember Murray for what he does during the regular season, but instead for what he accomplished in the playoffs (with more to come). Some players struggle to translate their success from the regular season to the postseason. Murray isn't that player.
What happens in the playoffs matters more than the regular season, but the 82-game season is when teams lay the foundation for a strong postseason. No, that doesn't mean Murray needs to play all 82 games, as the goal is for him to make it to the playoffs without having to claw his way there. It'd be a win if he stayed in the 65-game range like he did in 2022-23 (65) and 2024-25 (67).
There has been a lot of hype about what Denver can accomplish next season with its new-look roster, and rightfully so. It will be fun to watch Bruce Brown return, and see Cam Johnson, Jonas Valanciunas, and Tim Hardaway Jr. make their debuts. The same for DaRon Holmes II, who was around last season, but was injured. As always, watching Jokic is a magical experience.
But don't forget about Jamal, who also knows how to put on a show.