September 14th 2024.
When it comes to NBA dynasties, there's a common theme of having a powerful trio of players leading the team to success. Think Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green for the Golden State Warriors, or Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, and Manu Ginobili for the San Antonio Spurs. And of course, we can't forget about LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh for the Miami Heat.
But what about the Denver Nuggets? They may not have a trio just yet, but with the recent contract extensions of Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, and Michael Porter Jr., they're well on their way. Jokic is locked in until 2027, Murray until 2029, and Porter Jr. until 2026. And let's not forget about Aaron Gordon, who is signed through 2025.
Now, we have to be honest here. The Grading The Week crew has some doubts about the future of the Nuggets. But before we get into that, let's talk about Murray's extension. We give it a B-plus.
When news of Murray's four-year, $208.5 million extension broke, the GTW team was on a road trip back to Denver. As we chowed down on some local favorites, we mulled over the decision. Here's what we came up with:
First, we have to give props to Josh Kroenke. He promised to keep Murray in Denver after a disappointing playoff run, and he followed through on that promise. Second, Murray needs to live up to this deal. The Nuggets are in their prime right now, and it's up to him to stay physically and mentally prepared for the grueling postseason battles to come. Third, the Nuggets' general manager, Calvin Booth, wouldn't have been able to find a playoff-proven shooter like Murray on the open market. And finally, while Murray may not have made an All-Star or All-NBA team yet, he and Jokic have proven to be a magical duo on the court. And that's something you don't want to mess with.
But what about Gordon? With Murray's extension, we have to wonder what his future holds in Denver. After all, the Nuggets need a third piece to complete their own dynasty. And while we love Porter Jr.'s potential, we're not convinced he's that level of player just yet.
No, the real key to the Nuggets' success is Gordon. He's the perfect complement to Jokic and Murray, filling in the gaps and enhancing their strengths. He's unselfish, smart, and an incredible athlete. He's also a strong defender and a good shooter. In short, he's the kind of player you'd create in a video game to round out your dream team.
Unfortunately, Gordon's future with the Nuggets is a bit more complicated. He has a player option for 2025-26, and with the crazy amount of cap space around the league, he could easily be lured away by another team. That's why we'll be keeping a close eye on the Nuggets front office and their approach to extending Gordon. It will tell us a lot about their commitment to building a true dynasty in Denver.
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