September 14th 2024.
In the world of basketball, there's a saying that dynasties come in threes. We've seen it time and time again, with iconic trios like Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green of the Golden State Warriors, or Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, and Manu Ginobili of the San Antonio Spurs. And now, we have another trio to add to the list: Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, and Michael Porter Jr. of the Denver Nuggets.
The Nuggets have locked in their core for the long haul, with Jokic signed through 2027, Murray through 2029, and Porter Jr. through 2026. And let's not forget about Aaron Gordon, who is signed through 2025. However, there have been some concerns raised by the Grading The Week crew about the future of the Nuggets, specifically in regards to Murray. But before we dive into that, let's take a closer look at the recent contract extensions.
First and foremost, it's clear that Josh Kroenke, the owner of the Nuggets, is a man of his word. He promised to lock Murray in after a disappointing playoff run, and he stayed true to his word even after Murray's underwhelming performance at the Summer Olympics with Team Canada. And now, it's up to Murray to hold up his end of the deal. The Nuggets are in a prime position to compete for a championship, and it's on Murray to stay physically and mentally prepared for the grueling postseason battles that lie ahead.
The Nuggets' general manager, Calvin Booth, made a smart move by securing Murray's services with this extension. In today's NBA, it's difficult to find a proven playoff shooter like Murray on the open market, especially with the Nuggets' financial constraints and limited draft picks in the future. That being said, it's worth noting that Murray will now be the only player in the league making over $50 million without having made an All-Star or All-NBA team. This brings us back to the point that Murray needs to step up and prove himself as a vital piece of this championship-caliber team.
Jokic and Murray have formed a dynamic duo for the Nuggets, comparable to Andre 3000 and Big Boi of Outkast or Ashford and Simpson. They have a special chemistry that is crucial for any successful team, and it would be foolish to break them up. With Murray's extension, the Nuggets have made it clear that they believe in this partnership and are willing to invest in it for the long run.
But what does this mean for the future of Aaron Gordon? As much as the Nuggets love his presence on the court, it's uncertain if he will be a part of their long-term plans. He holds a player option for the 2025-26 season, which means he could potentially become a free agent and command a huge salary. And that's where things get complicated.
Gordon is the perfect compliment to Jokic and Murray, filling in the gaps and enhancing their strengths. He's unselfish, smart, physical, and a dominant finisher. He's also a solid defender, passer, and shooter, making him an ideal fit for this team. But as he approaches his 29th birthday, his future with the Nuggets is uncertain. It all depends on how aggressive the Nuggets are in pursuing an extension for him, which will ultimately reveal their true intentions of building a dynasty.
It's an exciting time to be a Nuggets fan, with the core locked in and the potential for greatness on the horizon. But only time will tell if they can truly make the leap and become a true dynasty in the NBA. For now, we'll have to wait and see how things unfold, but one thing is for sure: the Nuggets are a team to watch out for in the coming years. Want to stay updated on all things Nuggets? Be sure to sign up for the Nuggets Insider for all the latest news and analysis.
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