Nuggets guard Jamal Murray is eligible for a contract extension, but it doesn’t sound as if he plans to sign a new deal before the regular season begins.
As Bennett Durando of The Denver Post writes in a subscriber-only story, Murray told reporters on Monday that “we haven’t had that conversation yet.” General manager Calvin Booth said that the organization is in frequent contact with Murray’s agent Jeff Schwartz, and the impression he has gotten is that they’d “rather play it out.”
Murray is one of a handful of players who would become eligible for a far more lucrative super-max extension if he has an All-NBA season in 2023/24. Nuggets head coach Michael Malone believes the guard is capable of that sort of year.
“My challenge for Jamal is to show that you can do what you did in 20 playoff games,” Malone said, per Durando. “Because what Jamal did in the playoffs was ridiculous. … Now the challenge is, OK, you did it 20 games. You showed the world what you’re capable of. I want Jamal Murray to be an All-Star. I want Jamal Murray to be an All-NBA player. And to do that, what’s he have to do? He’s got to do it in October. He’s got to do it in November. He can’t do the slow start. The guys that are on top of their game, they bring it every single night.”
Here’s more from around the Northwest:
- The Nuggets are optimistic about their chances of winning a second consecutive title in 2024, as stars Murray and Nikola Jokic said at media day on Monday. Ohm Youngmisuk of ESPN has the story and the quotes.
- Sources who spoke to Sam Vecenie of The Athletic believe the Trail Blazers are open to moving veteran guard Malcolm Brogdon but are happy to hang onto him into the season if no good opportunities arise. With that in mind, Vecenie explores what the market for Brogdon might look like.
- Jason Quick of The Athletic shares some of his takeaways from the Trail Blazers‘ media day, including the fact that the club is bullish about its new frontcourt duo of Deandre Ayton and Robert Williams. “We — by far — have the most athletic two fives as a combo in the league,” head coach Chauncey Billups said. “And teams will understand that when they play against us, on both sides of the floor. … We are going to put a lot of pressure on the paint on the offensive end, and defensively, we will protect the rim. It’s going to be a lot of fun.”
- The Timberwolves had the NBA’s 10th-best defensive rating last season and ranked 23rd in offensive rating. This fall, they’re leaning into that defense-first identity rather than focusing more on offense, writes Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic. “It has to be (defense first). It absolutely has to be,” head coach Chris Finch said. “I say that just because we have the personnel to do that and be that, on and off the ball and at the rim.”
Well they are thinking logically. They have a young backcourt in Portland. Also, several teams may like Brogdon, but don’t like him enough to take on that 2nd year. It may be a trade that happens next year.
I still think 2 SRPs maybe 3 and Expiring or low guaranteed multi year deal. FRP if you’re dealing a toxic/bad contract (KPJ or Lonzo for example). He can only be traded by himself.
Fournier 2 SRP
Lowry 2 SRP.
Morris, Batum 2 SRP.
Lonzo 1 FRP.
KPJ 1 FRP.
Thad, Porter, Flynn 2 SRP
THJ 2 SRP and swaps?
I know the Sixers are mentioned a lot… but I’m not interested unless its Furksn, House, Springer, Tucker and some SRPs.
I think theres a trade out there where they can land a FRP, but I think some SRPs gets it done ultimately. He’s always hurt.
Then the Blazers keep just dealing players until the deadline. They come in and ship them back out until they squeeze the last deal out of someone.
Rumor has it that rockets offered 5 srp if teams would take Porter. No takers because he is toxic.
I would do it and waive him but the vibes and negative publicity just aren’t worth it even for 5 picks.
Suspect jazz would do it for that 2024 first. Wink
Jazz don’t care for seconds. Have very little statistical benefit. Rare to find a home run that late in the draft.