Nuggets have a massive Jamal Murray decision to make (and the clock is ticking)

Team Canada's Olympic shortcomings resulted in the country leaving France without a medal. The future is still bright for Canada, but there are concerns, like Denver Nuggets star Jamal Murray.

His 2024 playoff performance carried over to basketball's biggest world stage. Murray averaged 6.0 points, 3.8 assists, and 2.3 turnovers per game in France, shooting 29% from the field and 14% from three. He looked like a shell of the player he was in the 2023 postseason.

Murray dealt with a calf injury toward the end of the 2023-24 season, and that could've been part of why he looked unlike himself at the Olympics. The timing is poor for the 27-year-old, who is eligible to sign an extension. Now that Canada's run is over, Murray and the Nuggets are expected to resume extension talks (if they haven't started to do so already).

At the end of June, Shams Charania of The Athletic reported that Murray is expected to sign (subscription required) a four-year, $209 million maximum extension. If that happens, the Nuggets will lose complete financial flexibility as a second tax apron team. Denver's front office has the right to be hesitant.

How Nuggets handle Jamal Murray situation will decide their future

Murray's Olympic play did him no favors, but it doesn't mean that's who he is as a player. When he's at his best, the Nuggets are unstoppable. Nikola Jokic will always be Nikola Jokic. What matters most is the version of Murray that takes the court.

Don't expect Denver to harshly penalize Murray for his stretch of play the last few months. If he hadn't been injured during the playoffs, would the Nuggets have made it past the Timberwolves? Would Denver have hosted a second championship parade in as many years?

None of this is to say that Murray's injury history isn't concerning. If he signs an extension and gets hurt, the Nuggets' contender status will take another significant hit. Does that mean Denver should consider a trade? No. Giving up on Murray now is far from the best option. He's a "young" veteran and is only one year removed from an impressive title run.

Make no mistake, though. How the Nuggets handle the guard's extension situation will determine their future. Denver is already strapped by the collective bargaining agreement, and that will prove to be even more true if (more like when) Murray signs an extension.