Fansided

5 offseason needs for the Denver Nuggets

By Daniel Lewis

DENVER, CO - JANUARY 05: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets handles the ball against the Charlotte Hornets on January 05, 2019 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - JANUARY 05: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets handles the ball against the Charlotte Hornets on January 05, 2019 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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3. Extend Jamal Murray

There is no question that Murray has the potential to be a star point guard in the NBA. In his first appearance in the playoffs, he showed flashes of being able to carry a team through a seven-game series, but also showed flashes of being able to be the main reason why they would lose a seven-game series.

Murray was the weak link on defense in both series, but as the smallest player in the starting lineup, teams are always going to target him on that end of the court, especially with Jokic’s limitations as a help defender. But Murray has the ability to punish the other team on the offensive side of the floor unlike few of his teammates, with his combination of outside shooting, finishing near the rim, and midrange game.

Murray is just 22 years old, and will still be younger than Buddy Hield was when they were drafted in 2016 at the end of the 2019-20 season. Murray has a bright future, and with the experience he gained in the playoffs this year, has the opportunity to come back for his fourth season better than he has ever been.

The Nuggets cannot afford to lose their franchise point guard. They also can’t afford to give Murray a max contract like they did Jokic, but they may not have much of a choice. One of the keys for the Nuggets this summer is to have a press conference announcing that Murray will join Andrew Wiggins as one of the latest Canadian’s in the world to sign a contract that has nine figures in the total amount. A win for both sides likely falls in the range of a four-year, $110 million contract.

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