Denver Nuggets: Season preview for the 2019-20 season

SACRAMENTO, CA - JANUARY 3: Nikola Jokic #15, Malik Beasley #25 and Jamal Murray #27 of the Denver Nuggets celebrate against the Sacramento Kings on January 3, 2019 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. 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 Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images) /

5 of 7

(Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images) /

Storyline 3: What is Jamal Murray’s next step?

The NBA got a nice look at its future during Denver’s 14 playoff games last postseason. At the forefront of the new wave is Jamal Murray, a smooth scoring guard with the tools to be a true No. 1 option one day.

Drafted No. 7 overall in 2016, Murray is one of the only bright spots from an otherwise underwhelming draft class. The 6’4″ combo guard has come into his own as a secondary playmaker, letting Jokic run the offense and playing to his strengths as a scorer.

Last season was Murray’s coming-out party of sorts. The Canadian averaged 18.2 points and 4.8 assists on a slash line of .437/.367/.848 while helping the Nuggets earn the No. 2 seed in the West.

His first postseason was overall impressive for a player in his situation. He averaged 21.1 points on .425/.337/.903 clips in this maiden voyage, dropping 34 points in back to back games against the Portland Trail Blazers in the second round. Sometimes he was hit-or-miss, but his hits in that environment bode well for his future.

For Murray, it’s about finding a balance between his scoring and Jokic’s otherworldly creation for others. When the going gets tough, Murray will be counted on quite a bit to create offense. To win a playoff series that’s what you need: A three-level scorer who can create for himself and others.

He and Jokic will have to figure out how to balance that for when the games get more important. Joker’s dimes will get the team pretty far, but the improvisational skills of a Murray type are invaluable.

Home/Denver Nuggets