Fansided

2016 NBA Draft: where are they now?

By Brandon Jefferson

TORONTO, ON - MAY 7: Philadelphia 76ers guard Ben Simmons (25) reaches in on Toronto Raptors forward Pascal Siakam (43). Toronto Raptors vs Philadelphia 76ers in1st half action of Round 2, Game 5 of NBA playoff play at Scotiabank Arena. Raptors win 125-89 and now lead series 3-2. Toronto Star/Rick Madonik (Rick Madonik/Toronto Star via Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - MAY 7: Philadelphia 76ers guard Ben Simmons (25) reaches in on Toronto Raptors forward Pascal Siakam (43). Toronto Raptors vs Philadelphia 76ers in1st half action of Round 2, Game 5 of NBA playoff play at Scotiabank Arena. Raptors win 125-89 and now lead series 3-2. Toronto Star/Rick Madonik (Rick Madonik/Toronto Star via Getty Images) /
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BROOKLYN, NY – JUNE 23: Jamal Murray poses for a photo after being drafted number seven overall by the Denver Nuggets during the 2016 NBA Draft on June 23, 2016 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. 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 2016 NBAE (Photo by Melanie Fidler/NBAE via Getty Images)
BROOKLYN, NY – JUNE 23: Jamal Murray poses for a photo after being drafted number seven overall by the Denver Nuggets during the 2016 NBA Draft on June 23, 2016 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. 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 2016 NBAE (Photo by Melanie Fidler/NBAE via Getty Images) /

7. Jamal Murray, Denver Nuggets

One year after taking Emmanuel Mudiay — one of the first prospects to skip college to play professional basketball overseas — with the seventh-overall pick, the Denver Nuggets found themselves selecting seventh in the 2016 NBA Draft. Ignoring any potential fit issues, the Nuggets selected point guard Jamal Murray out of Kentucky with their pick.

At 6-foot-5, Murray had good size for a point guard and there was some talk that he could even operate as a shooting guard at stretches. Despite being the primary ball handler for the Wildcats, the book on Murray as he entered the NBA is that he was more combo guard than a true point guard.

In his one season in Lexington, Murray quickly established himself as the alpha dog among another loaded John Calipari recruiting class. He was a dominant scorer–averaged 20 points per game–capable of scoring effectively from all three levels. His size and speed at the position made him a mismatch for many opposing guards in college and he would routinely take advantage. Murray would be named to the All-SEC, All-SEC Tournament, and SEC All-Freshman teams at the conclusion of his freshman year. Kentucky’s inability to get to the second weekend of the 2016 NCAA Tournament likely kept Murray from rising higher up draft boards.

With the Nuggets, Murray would split time at point guard with Mudiay and Jameer Nelson. He would play the most games out of the trio, 82, but only started 10 games. Yet, the signs were there that Murray could grow into a bigger role in Denver over time. He still had a way to go as a facilitator (2.1 assists per game and 1.4 turnovers per game) but his capabilities as a scorer were promising as he averaged 9.9 points per game as a rookie while playing just 21.5 minutes per game.

Since then, the Nuggets moved on from Mudiay (Feb. 2018 trade) and Nelson (waived in Oct. 2017) and gave complete control of the point guard slot to Murray. While Murray’s playmaking is still a weakness, the development of Nikola Jokic into one of the best passing big men in NBA history has allowed for Denver to craft one of the most potent offenses in the league. Murray showed during the Nuggets 2019 playoff run that he has the ability to be a key part of this team for many years.

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