September 14th 2024.
In the world of basketball, dynasties often come in threes. Just take a look at the Golden State Warriors' trio of Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green, or the San Antonio Spurs' trio of Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, and Manu Ginobili. And of course, we can't forget about the Miami Heat's trio of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh.
But now, there's a new trio on the rise. The Denver Nuggets have secured their own three pillars of success: Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, and Michael Porter Jr. And with the recent addition of Aaron Gordon, it seems like the Nuggets are setting themselves up for a long and prosperous future.
However, there are some concerns among the Grading The Week crew about the team's future with Mr. Nugget, as they affectionately call him. But before we dive into those concerns, let's take a closer look at the recent contract extensions for the Nuggets' star players.
First up is Jamal Murray, who just signed a four-year, $208.5 million extension. Team GTW was on a road trip when the news broke and had some time to discuss and digest the details. In the end, they gave Murray's extension a solid B-plus rating. And here's why:
For starters, Josh Kroenke, the Nuggets' owner, has proven to be a man of his word. He promised to lock Murray down after a disappointing playoff run, and he followed through with that promise, even after Murray's less-than-stellar performance at the Summer Olympics.
But now, it's up to Murray to hold up his end of the deal. The Nuggets' window for a championship is wide open, and it's up to Murray to stay physically and mentally prepared for the grueling postseason battles that lie ahead. The team has shown faith in him, and it's time for him to deliver.
And while some may have doubts about Murray's consistency, it's important to note that the Nuggets' General Manager, Calvin Booth, wouldn't have been able to find a player of Murray's caliber on the open market. Plus, their salary cap situation and limited draft pick resources make it even more challenging to find a suitable replacement.
But there's one thing that can't be ignored: Murray will now be the only player in the NBA to start the season making at least $50 million without ever making an All-Star or All-NBA team. This brings us back to the importance of him stepping up and living up to his potential.
The combination of Jokic and Murray has proven to be a winning formula for the Nuggets. Every postseason they've played together has resulted in at least one series win, two conference finals appearances, and an NBA title. Jokic, the team's unicorn, and Murray, their mercurial star, have a special chemistry that is hard to replicate.
But what about Aaron Gordon? While his future with the Nuggets is still uncertain, it's clear that he plays a crucial role in the team's success. As the third piece to Jokic and Murray, Gordon provides a perfect balance, covering up their weaknesses while also complementing their strengths.
However, with his player option for the 2025-26 season, Gordon holds a lot of power in his hands. He could choose to opt-out and potentially earn even more money from another team. This raises an important question: how serious are the Nuggets about building a dynasty? Will they be aggressive in securing Gordon's long-term future with the team?
It's clear that locking down Jokic and Murray was a priority for the Nuggets, and it ensures a strong offensive core for at least the next five years. But as we've seen with other championship-winning teams, having a solid third piece is crucial for long-term success.
So, the question remains: will the Nuggets make a move to secure Gordon's future and solidify their dynasty, or will they let him walk away and potentially put their future in jeopardy? Only time will tell, but one thing is for sure: the Denver Nuggets have a bright future ahead of them.
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