5.) Jamal Murray
And finally, the biggest potential piece in the big puzzle that is the Nuggets. The Olympics have come and gone, training camp is approaching, and Jamal Murray still remains without a contract extension.
The messaging from the team has been calm and reassuring. We keep hearing that a deal will get done and that Jamal isn’t going anywhere. But then what’s the hold-up? Murray is entering the final year of his deal and wants a four-year max extension.
He’s one of the most important players in franchise history, but he’s also perenially injured, not a great regular season player, and isn’t getting any younger. His showing in the Olympics for Team Canada was underwhelming, to say the least, and there is definitely some cause for concern about his future.
It’s not crazy to think the Nuggets might be unwilling to give Murray a full guaranteed max contract and it’s not crazy to think he may not accept anything less. Much like the logic with Gordon, if the team risks losing Murray in the offseason for nothing, they need to trade him and see what they can get.
At this point, the Nuggets could still get a very nice return for Murray and teams would certainly be willing to pay him. If they can find a return they like, while it would send shockwaves through Nuggets nation, it may be the best course of action for the team and for maximizing the prime of Nikola Jokic - which should be the main priority.