Denver Nuggets: Options for the starting point guard in 2017-18

The scorer

Finally, there’s the blue arrrow, Jamal Murray. Murray had an encouraging rookie season. He secured a spot on the NBA All-Rookie Second Team, and grabbed 34 First Team votes as well. Murray’s numbers weren’t flashy, but they were encouraging, especially considering the two sports hernias he played through all year long.

Murray’s per game averages don’t tell the whole story. He was injured and stuck behind Jameer Nelson and Emmanuel Mudiay to start the year. He finished the season averaging just 2.1 assists per game, and 9.9 points on 40.4 percent shooting and 33.4 percent from deep.

The numbers aren’t awful compared to a less than stellar rookie class but they don’t explain all the hype for Murray. Look at Murray’s per 36 numbers instead and you’ll see why Denver fans are so excited:

Murray provides something the other two guards don’t: serous scoring potential. The Nuggets had the highest-rated offense in the league from December on last year, but they lost their top overall scorer in Danilo Gallinari. Paul Millsap was a perfect pickup, but he’s not a scoring machine.

Denver will want to make up some of that offensive production. In that regard, Murray is their best bet at point.

But the problem is that Murray’s scoring potential is still just that — potential. His 9.9 points per game was good enough for sixth among rookies last year, but it’s not great scoring output. Not when the player is averaging low assists, playing subpar defense and putting up some ugly shooting numbers.

Murray will develop into a good player, of that there is little doubt. But will he develop into the offensive threat and starting point guard option that Denver needs by next season? Maybe not.

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It’s possible that we see Denver play the start to this season safely. With an improved defense and a whole season of Jokic to their benefit, Malone might be content to play the veteran Nelson. This move would result in little offensive output from the one, but it would be the safest bet in terms of limiting turnovers and keeping the ball movement sharp.

However, Denver was willing to start Emmanuel Mudiay each of the last two seasons. If he’s healthy, they may give him another shot. For as poorly as Mudiay has played, he’s actually played quite well in his limited time on the court with Jokic. Denver might be intrigued by allowing him more time in this position, but the leash will be short.

His defense must be on point and his decision-making near flawless. They can survive his shooting struggles if he’s a playmaking guard holding his own on the defensive end.

Murray is perhaps the least ready of these three to start, but he’s the most intriguing option by far. A healthy Murray with a full season under his belt might be ready to take it to another level offensively.

Murray is not a good defender, and shooting the three-ball in the low thirties isn’t going to buy him much court time. But the best and most dangerous version of this Nuggets team includes Murray at the 1. While he hasn’t shot the lights out yet, he certainly can. This dude is a scorer through and through.

The Nuggets have a big decision to make. The uncertainty at this position may have cost them a playoff spot last year. So who will Denver go with as they look to make the playoffs for the first time since? The veteran, the prototype or the scorer?

Next: Ranking NBA teams by tiers for the 2017-18 season

Pay close attention to this question, because figuring out the answer may be the next step in the evolution of this basketball team.