The 50 greatest NBA players of the 2020s (so far), ranked

38) Jamal Murray

Denver Nuggets star Jamal Murray has had an unusual half-decade thus far. Despite averaging at least 20 points per game in three of four of the seasons that he played, he has yet to make an all-star team. That doesn't diminish his play, however, with him being a strong regular-season performer despite struggling with injuries, including missing all of the 2020–21 season.

Nevertheless, Murray is known as more of a playoff performer, seeing his decade-average jump from 20.2 points, 5.6 assists and 4 rebounds to 25 points, 6.6 assists, and 5 rebounds in 51 postseason games over the 2020s.

That dramatic difference has helped the Nuggets become perennial contenders, with Murray's superstar-like production pairing with MVP Nikola Jokic leading to the Western Conference Finals in 2020, the NBA Finals in 2023 and Game 7 of the West semi-finals in 2024.

Murray, of course, helped lead the Nuggets to their first title in 2023, the first in franchise history. Being the second-best player on a championship team may not be an official achievement, but it is something that few players on this list can say that they have been able to do.

Going forward, Murray is just 27 and in the prime of his career. At some point in the next five seasons, he should make an all-star team or two and have a chance to win another championship before the 2020s are over.