New intel reinforces Nuggets fans' biggest concerns about Jamal Murray

After an up-and-down 2023–24 season and playoffs, Denver Nuggets star Jamal Murray's play during the 2024 Olympics didn't quiet the concerns surrounding him. Murray played a limited role for Team Canada during the Olympics, and he sometimes looked hobbled. Nuggets Team President Walter Kroenke confirmed as much in a recent interview.

That led to questions about whether he should be playing and how it would impact his 2024–25 season for the Nuggets with a shortened offseason. On one hand, his playing over the summer may help him stay in shape, something that has occasionally been an issue.

Nevertheless, a deep playoff run, a month spent playing in the lead-up and during the Olympics, followed by the beginning of training camp six weeks later, doesn't give Murray much time to recover from whatever ails him.

Keeping Jamal Murray healthy will be doubly important for the Denver Nuggets going forward.

A maximum extension reportedly offered Murray $42 million a season for the next five years, $210 million in total. Despite that, he has yet to sign it. The Nuggets probably won't rescind the offer, and Murray is still expected to sign.

However, he probably should be rushing to get his signature on the deal, given his injury concerns. Murray has struggled with injuries throughout his career, including missing all of the 2021–22 season with an ACL tear.

If he can't live up to that new deal, then it would all but cripple the Nuggets, with them having only four picks in total over the next seven years. This after trading most of their assets away to build around Murray and Nikola Jokic.

They will also be forced to strike a balance between trying to stay under the second apron and competing. They opted to let Kentavious Caldwell-Pope leave rather than re-sign and risk exceeding the apron after next season. That hurts their already weak depth and will force them to rely more on Jokic and Murray, with Jokic sure to deliver but Murray less so.

Overall, with him playing at less than 100% over the summer, it's unknown how that will affect him next season. If he can play at a high level, then the Nuggets should be fine; if not, then that could be a big problem going forward.