Another Loss! Has Jamal Murray Locked the Nuggets with the League’s Worst Contract?

The Washington Wizards finally ended their painful 16-game losing streak with a surprising 124-121 victory over the Denver Nuggets. While the win was bound to come sooner or later, what raised eyebrows was the team they defeated—the reigning NBA champions, led by Nikola Jokić. Even more shocking was that Jokić delivered a transcendent performance, finishing with 56 points, 16 rebounds, and 8 assists, yet it wasn’t enough to secure the win.

After the game, a visibly frustrated Jokić remarked, “In my country, if you don’t perform well, you get your salary cut. Maybe they should consider doing the same here.”

While Jokić’s comment was likely made in the heat of the moment, it raises a valid question: who on the Nuggets roster deserves to face scrutiny for their performance? It’s certainly not Jokić, who is averaging a career-high 31.4 points alongside 12.8 rebounds and 9.1 assists this season. The target of criticism seems to be Jamal Murray, whose underwhelming play and recent supermax contract have drawn significant ire.

The Decline of Jamal Murray

Jamal Murray, once celebrated as one of the league’s premier playoff performers, has struggled mightily since the Western Conference semifinals of last season’s playoffs. His slump extended to international play during the FIBA World Cup, where he averaged just 6 points, 3 rebounds, and 3.8 assists on dreadful shooting splits of 29% from the field and 14.3% from three-point range.

Despite these struggles, the Nuggets handed Murray a 4-year, $208 million supermax extension in September. The deal, which cements him as a cornerstone of the franchise alongside Jokić, now appears to be a significant misstep.

This season, Murray’s production has hit a career low since his rookie year, averaging just 17.8 points, 4 rebounds, and 6.2 assists per game on mediocre efficiency. His lackluster performances have left the Nuggets floundering with an 11-10 record, placing them ninth in the Western Conference. For a team that was crowned NBA champions just a year ago, the rapid decline is staggering.

The Impact of Murray’s Contract

Murray’s $208 million extension effectively locks the Nuggets into their current roster configuration for the foreseeable future. With his play deteriorating and his contract perceived as one of the league’s most toxic, trading him is an unrealistic option. No team, not even those desperate for a high-upside gamble, appears willing to take on such a financial burden.

This predicament limits Denver’s flexibility to improve the roster around Jokić. The Nuggets’ championship window is tied directly to Jokić’s prime, and every underwhelming season squanders a year of his extraordinary talents.

Team Tensions Boil Over

The frustration isn’t just external; it’s beginning to show within the team. Reports indicate growing discord among players, with Aaron Gordon attempting to rally teammates for a meeting, only to be ignored by Murray, who was visibly upset after failing to receive the ball in open positions during the game. Gordon ultimately gave up on the effort, walking away in frustration.

Such incidents are indicative of a team struggling to rediscover its championship chemistry. The Nuggets, once a harmonious unit that epitomized selflessness and teamwork, now appear on the verge of disarray.

The Path Forward

The Nuggets’ options are limited. Trading Murray, as some fans and analysts suggest, is unlikely to yield meaningful returns given his current form and massive contract. Instead, the team must hope for a resurgence from Murray and other key contributors.

Denver’s front office faces immense pressure to find ways to optimize the roster without compromising Jokić’s prime years. While Jokić continues to put up MVP-caliber numbers, his supporting cast must rise to the occasion if the Nuggets hope to regain their championship form.

A Cautionary Tale

The Nuggets’ situation serves as a cautionary tale for teams handing out supermax extensions. While rewarding players for past performance is common in the NBA, these contracts often become burdensome when players fail to meet expectations. For Denver, a franchise that achieved the pinnacle of success just a year ago, the road ahead now seems fraught with challenges.

Jokić can only carry so much of the load. If Murray doesn’t turn things around soon, his contract could indeed become the anchor that sinks the Nuggets’ championship aspirations.