Jamal Murray is a core part of the Denver Nuggets roster. He helped them secure the 2023 NBA championship and has proved himself to be the second-best player on Mike Malone’s team. However, Murray’s injury history is a legitimate concern. Just last season, he missed 23 games and is only three years removed from an ACL injury.
Nevertheless, the Nuggets have gambled on Murray’s upside as they look to contend for another championship in the coming years. According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Denver has signed Murray to a four-year, $208 million contract extension — the maximum amount he could sign for.
“The deal — which keeps Murray out of free agency next summer — ties one of the franchise cornerstones to the Nuggets for a total of five seasons and $244 million,” Wojnarowski reported. “Murray will earn $36 million this coming season before a bump to $46.4 million in 2025-26. He will make $50.1 million in 2026-27, $53.8 million in 2027-28 and $57.5 million in the final year of the deal, according to ESPN’s Bobby Marks.”
By giving Murray the maximum amount of money possible, Denver is standing behind its star guard and showing it trusts he can remain healthy enough to lead the team to another championship. Last season, Murray averaged 21.2 points, 4.1 rebounds and 6.5 assists while shooting 48.1% from the field and 42.5% from three-point range. You can’t argue with that type of production from your second option, especially when playing next to a nexus-event-level talent like Nikola Jokic.
Nevertheless, Murray’s injury history is a fair concern. If he’s unable to consistently remain on the court, the Nuggets will be limited in their chances of success. Without Murray in the rotation, teams can load up on Jokic while limiting Aaron Gordon’s effectiveness as an off-ball weapon.
Still, the Nuggets are right to pay Murray. Not only are they paying him for what he brings to the roster and what they could achieve with him in the future, but they’re also paying him for what he’s done in the past. Murray is one of the better guards in the league. He’s an ideal fit next to Jokic. And he’s one of the better second options in the NBA.
If Murray can help lead Denver to a second championship, his new contract will look like a bargain.
