Locked On Nuggets - Daily Podcast On The Denver Nuggets
Jamal Murray's Contract Negotiations Are Stalled | What Could This Mean?
Jamal Murray is currently in contract negotiations with the Nuggets front office and there are some rumors as to why. Let's talk about them.
The Nuggets bench is going to look quite different than it did last year but will it be better?
Why is Julian Strawther the key to the Nuggets success next season? Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!
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- Duration:
- 24m
- Broadcast on:
- 09 Jul 2024
- Audio Format:
- mp3
It's the Lockdown Podcast Network, your team every day. Hi, I'm Jake from Lockdown. For the love of Pete, it's something you might say when your car gets damaged, but that won't get you the help you need for your vehicle. As someone named Jake, what you should be saying is something that can actually help, like a good neighbor, State Farm is there. For help filing your claim 24/7, whether it's on the phone, online, or on the award-winning State Farm mobile app, however you choose. Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there. The Denver Nuggets and Jamal Murray may be at an impasse when it comes to contract negotiations. How this might play out this summer, what can we expect? And the Denver Nuggets bench is going to look radically different than it did last year, but could it be better? And Julian Strother, he might end up being the key between the Nuggets being worse than last season and maybe taking a leap forward. We're going to talk about all that and more here at Lockdown Nuggets. You are Lockdown Nuggets, your daily Denver Nuggets podcast, part of the Lockdown Podcast Network, your team every day. What's going on, y'all? Welcome to Lockdown Nuggets. This is your whole swipe, but this is your team every day. So glad that you all are here. I hope you're enjoying your summer and all the great things that are available to you. I hope you're enjoying this Olympic content that we're about to be getting. And then on top of that, Team USA has been kicking off their scrimmages, got some Cooper flag video that looks like he is the truth coming out next year's draft. Y'all, the Denver Nuggets are at a very interesting point and we're going to talk about some stuff with Jamal Murray in that bench, but y'all, today episode is brought to you by FanDuel, make every moment more as playoffs wind down, the sport stops sporting like we want them to. But this summer, FanDuel is hooking up all customers with a boost or bonus daily. That's right. There's something for everyone. Every day, all summer long, visit FanDuel.com to get started. All right, y'all, let's talk some Jamal Murray. So the report is, the report is, is that Jamal Murray and the Denver Nuggets are currently in a situation where they're debating his contract. Now, if you remember, if you remember, just a couple of weeks ago, shams dropped an article or dropped a tweet base saying that Jamal Murray and the Denver Nuggets, they're currently looking at a four-year, $209 million extension, a four-year, $209 million extension. They see said specifically in the language, Denver and star Jamal Murray are working towards a four-year, $209 million contract extension. So that was the word. But the way that things have kind of taken a turn is, is that there seem to be some complications on how much guaranteed money is going to be in the contract. Now, we don't have all of the details, but if you can speculate a little bit, some of the framing around the conversation seems to be, is that the Nuggets want to get this deal done, but there are some protections they are looking to have on their end before giving Jamal Murray a deal of that magnitude. Now, let's first look at this on the Denver Nuggets side. So for the Denver Nuggets, they're looking at Jamal Murray's recent career, and they're saying in 2020-2021 season, he tears its ACL in December, Jamal Murray misses the playoffs that year, and then he misses the entirety of the next season. So his age 23 and 24 season are basically out of the window because of injuries. And then he played 65 games in 2022-2023, and he played pretty well, average 20 points a game first year back from the ACL injury, 6.2 assists. He shot pretty well from the field, shot 49% from 2, 39.8% from 3. And then he wins an NBA championship, averages 26, 5, and 7 on the way to winning a championship. And then this year, he comes back, he plays 59 games, misses 23 games, numbers are good, 21.2 points a game, 6.5 assists, and then 4 rebounds a game, shoots 51% from 2, 42.8% from 3, and 85% from the free throw line. So on the Denver Nuggets, they're looking at it like this. Jamal Murray is not an All-Star, he's not an All-NBA player, he's had an ACL injury, he missed a year and a half because of that, and then he played 65 games, and then he played 59 games. So on their end, they're saying that he wouldn't have met the All-NBA requirement last year, he didn't make an All-Star team, and Jamal Murray is a really good basketball player, but the numbers have said that he'd a better playoff player than he is, a regular season player. So that was the narrative about Jamal, and then this playoffs happens. And Jamal Murray, because of injury, not something that he can necessarily control, not all of it at least, Jamal Murray has some injuries, he has a cast train in the playoffs, he's already dealing with some lower body issues, going into the playoffs, and then versus the Minnesota Timberwolves, Jamal Murray has an average series, I'm not saying even a good to great series, if Jamal Murray has an average series 24 and 6 on good efficiency, they could have won that series. But because of the injuries and because of inconsistent play, the Denver Nuggets are out in seven. They didn't have their second best player in the series averaging more than 19 points a game. I think you averaged 18.8 points per game in that series. So the Nuggets are saying that you have been injured in three and a last four playoff settings, while you are a very good playoff player, the regular season numbers seem to indicate that you are a step below players like Jalen Brunson, Jalen Brown and other, let's say, options of that ilk. If you want to look at some of the number two options in the NBA, Kyrie Irving and others, some people will say that Kyrie's a better basketball player, he's obviously a more decorated player. Jamal, you're kind of sitting in this range where you're a great secondary option, but on the other end of that, you're also an injury liability at times and you have directly adversely affected the team. So if you're unable, if you're unable to stay healthy, will we be able to move off of a deal that has guarantees front and back loaded and you're making $52 million a year, basically. That's the Denver Nuggets side. Now if you're Jamal side, you're saying, well, I'm by far one of the best guards in league. I could be playing an even higher level in terms of my numbers, like 25, five and seven, but I play next to the best player in the world. I play within the system, I play with Jamal with Michael Porter's Jr and Aaron Gordon. I play with Nikole Yokich, I played with KCP, Brown, Watson, I'm also the one that's staggering with the bench unit at the top of every second and four quarter. It's my job to be the primary playmaker at the guard position. It's my job to be the primary creator at the guard position. It's my job to be the primary score at the guard position and I also have to be willing to defend. I'm six foot four and a half. I'm one of the best shooters in the league, I shot 42% from three last year. I'm one of the best free throw shooters in the league. I'm one of the best clutch closures in the league. I have one of the best mid-range jump shots in the playoffs among any player, let alone guards. So Jamal has argued me this saying that I've already led you to a championship and also I prior to this last season, I was one of seven, I think, maybe players to be average in 25, five and five in their playoff career. I think Lukas in that conversation now obviously with 50 plus games play. So Jamal Murray has a lot on his side to argue the numbers and say, this is what I'm worth. But the interesting thing about this is that the paperwork, the on paper stuff is going to be what is a little tricky about this scenario because again, let's all imagine, yeah, if Jamal Murray is healthy during his playoff run, are they out in the second round? Do the math have a chance of beating them or is the Boston beating the nuggets? Because you already have Yokech who kind of cook versus everyone, even versus the wolves and he had one of his best playoff games. He had one of the best playoff games in NBA history versus the wolves in game five, 40 points, 13 rebounds, 13 assists rather, shot crazy from the field. If you just have Jamal Murray in game one playing at a normal level, then they're in a different situation. But Jamal Murray may be able to carry better in game two doesn't miss a bunch of shots to start the game. The situation could have been different. So I think for the nuggets, they're just saying that if we're getting more high level consistent play from you, Jamal, we would feel completely comfortable with this contract. So we don't have all the information. We don't know exactly what is going to happen, but y'all, this is going to be interesting. And maybe after the Olympics resumes, we'll be able to finalize this. It could very well end up being the full maximum on the deal for four years, $209 million. Again, if you're a number two option in the league on the championship level team, I think you deserve that money. But ultimately the NBA, they have to make their decisions. The front office, the ownership, they have to make their decision. But Jamal Murray can put all this to bed because Jamal Murray can use this last year deal, go make 13 while I'm young, get a super max. And then the whole conversation it did. I was hoping he would do that last year, didn't get an opportunity to do the injuries. Level play wasn't good enough consistently. So that's where we are. But y'all on the other side, the never nuggets bench is going to look a lot different this next year. What does that mean for the team, and could they possibly be better? We're going to talk about all that and more here at lockdown nuggets. You know, we love talking stats here at lockdown, and here's one that's super simple to remember. Discover automatically doubles the cash back you've earned on your credit card at the end of your first year with cash back match. That means with Discover, you could turn $150 cash back to $300. 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It's entirely online, designed to be convenient, flexible, and suited to your schedule. Just fill out a brief questionnaire and get matched with a licensed therapist and switch therapist anytime for no additional charge. So stop comparing and start focusing with better help. Betterhelp.com/lockedonnba to get a 10% off your first month. That's BetterHelpHELP.com/lockedonnba. Y'all, we'll be right back for more here on Locked On Nuggets. What's going on, y'all? Welcome back to Locked On Nuggets. This is your host, Swiper. This is your team, every day. Y'all, if you're listening to this on the Apple iTunes side, please give us a five-star review. That way, more and more people can get in touch with what we're doing here at Locked On Nuggets really helps us on the growth side. And then y'all, if you're on YouTube, make sure you like, share, and subscribe. We're continuing to build up the community. Maybe get to 10,000 subscribers on YouTube by the end of next season. That can definitely be a goal. But y'all, let's talk about the Denver Nuggets bench. Let's talk about the Denver Nuggets bench. So reportedly, the Denver Nuggets are still going to add Russell Westbrook. So if that happens, there are going to be some really interesting things that the Denver Nuggets bench could look at. They signed Dario Sarge, as I saw, my colleagues got a chance to talk about already. And so with the Sarge signing, they're going to have a four-spacing-forward-five who is going to have some ability to be a good D.H.O. player, a good connected passer, he can find you back door, you can move ball ball with Dario. And I think he's really going to help players like Russell Westbrook should he sign. He's going to help players like Peyton Watson opening up the floor for him. Yo, honestly, even Jamal Murray, like Jamal Murray playing with Dario, that's going to offer a lot of help. And then should Deron Holmes the second get real time with this team, then this is going to be another example for them having bigs who are floor spacers, and then obviously having Holmes to be the rim protector in this scenario. Now the Denver Nuggets bench, it really could be better next year. And the reason it could be better is just simply because they're going to have improvement more than likely at the point guard position, I believe, if Russell Westbrook does sign back. Again, you know, people have different thoughts and the feelings about Russell Westbrook. But I just still think Russ is a very valuable player in the right setting in the NBA. Again, if Russell Westbrook is making $4 million or less, if he gets traded and waived or waived by the Clippers, then he's still going to be a viable NBA player, especially for a team like the Nuggets. Last year, Russ, 11 points per game, 4.5 assists, five rebounds. Now he shot 45% from the field. You definitely want to see him be better on that end. But if you just look at the overall numbers for Russ, so per 100 possessions, Russ, 24 points per game, 9.9 assists, and 11.1 rebounds. Again, efficiency definitely needs to get better. But having a player that can apply the rim pressure and be a good ball handler in transition and set up people in half court, I think it's going to be really important. And then on the other end of this, y'all, Julian Shrother, who we're going to talk about here in the third segment, especially because he's going to be a key to this, Julian Shrother, Peyton Watson, Dario, Duran Holmes, Blocko Chanchar, and then, you know, we'll see what happened with Zeke Naji, if his contract and him are still going to be on the books. But Hunter Tyson, you know, if Jalen Pickett gets real time next year, they're going to be players that have some opportunities with this team. But it's going to be about how can they consistently rise to the occasion and can Dario and Holmes and Julian Shrother provide enough spacing for Peyton Watson and Russell Westbrook to be able to do what they need to do? Because Peyton, that was his real first year of playing. That was basically his rookie year. There are really some strides that Peyton could make. Again, if you watched him in transition, he was very good. You watched him at the finisher. Very good. A lot of threat. Very good. He started developing a mid-range shot. If Peyton can develop a good transition game, a good spot of three game, and a good turnaround game with his mid-range, you're cooking. Now this is not a conversation around Peyton is completely different. If he can be an offensive plus, really in any way, then again, the nuggets are just going to be in a much different position because he is an argument for the best defender on his team. And out of KCP's gone, he might legit be the best defender on the team. So having Peyton Watson another year in his third NBA year in the Christian Brown transitions into the starters, at least for the start of the season, Julian Strathor. He stays healthy, takes a leap because, remember, he had some games last year, he was incredible. You add these things in, and then you add the fact that Dario is going to be there and then Holmes. I think they can do some really special things, y'all. Well, y'all, segment three, I want to talk about Julian Strathor specifically because I think there are some things that he can really add to this roster that's going to make the Denver nuggets a dangerous team. We'll talk about all that and more in the third segment here at Lockdown Nuggets. Hi, I'm Jake from Lockdown. 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So when you need help protecting the things that matter most, remember to say like you good neighbors, state farm is there. Y'all, I love sports. I love them so much. I never want them to stop, but as the playoffs wind down, we get fewer games and the sports aren't sports like I want them to, but FanDuel lets me keep the sports going whenever I want. All I have to do is open the app and dream up bets anytime I'm in the mood. And this summer, FanDuel is hooking up all customers with a boost or a bonus daily. That's right. There's something for everyone every day all summer long. So head over to FanDuel.com and start making the most out of your summer. FanDuel, official sports betting partner of Major Lee Baseball. We'll be right back for more here on Lockdown Nuggets. What's going on? Welcome to the final segment here at Lockdown Nuggets. This is your whole swipe of this is your team every day, Julian Strathor, Julian Strathor. Now here's the thing. If you remember Julian Alexander, 29th overall, picking the first round, 6 foot 7, true shooting guard, can play small forward. Julian Strathor is going to have the opportunity to really take it truly. The thing about Julian, Julian has the offensive punch that can take the Nuggets to a different level should he be able to arrive as a scorer next year. Now that might be a lot to ask, but Julian last year, Michael Malone mentioned that he ran almost more plays for Julian than he almost did, Jamal and Yokech, like then, than anybody by Jamal and Yokech last year. Julian Strathor is a sniper with a very quick release. He's good in transition. He's good in half court. He had a little bit of dribble, dribble heads between to his game, hits and step backs. Julian can get downhill and be able to pop a floater. And then on top of that, he's been, he's shown some flashes defensively. I don't know if you remember the Atlanta Hawks game, but Julian versus the Atlanta Hawks had a really good game last year. And then I also want to say versus the Hawks, I think he had five steals. He did. He had five steals in that game versus the Hawks. And then if you remember his overall numbers in that game, Julian was 8 to 16 from the field, six of 11 from three, five steals, 22 points to assist. Julian is not a playmaker. He's not going to do that, at least at this point in his career. But what Julian can provide is some immediate, tangible scoring, where if the nuggets are really in a rut and Christian Brown and that spacing is just not good enough. Look, hey, Julian, you know, we're going to use your size. We're going to use your ability to chase. And we're going to need you to be the primary defender next to Jamal, you know, maybe it's not going to be perfect, but we just can't live with Christian could eat having a bad shooting day. Look, Jamal Murray, Julian Strathor, and then having Michael Porter Jr, that's three elite potential shooters. MP Day and Jamal are already elite shooters, but adding Julian into that, I think it's going to offer them a lot of versatility. And then obviously Aaron Gordon, and then even with the second unit, the thing that's going to make Russell Westbrook and Peyton Pliable is having Duran Holmes hit threes, and sorry to be able to hit threes, and then having Julian being willing to take threes. And I really think that a lot of the nuggets rise towards their ceiling is going to largely be contingent on how much Julian Strathor is able to improve as a decision maker and consistency as a score. Because a part of the issue when you're young is being able to consistently find your way. Simply find your way and consistently be able to commit to play the right kind of basketball consistently. Now, that's not something that like you control because you're being selfish. It's just a simple thing is like, look, I'm figuring out the NBA game. Last year, he averaged 4.5 points a game, 1.2 rebounds, 0.9 assists. He shot 46% effective field goal percentage, 48.8% from two, that needs to be better, 29.7% from three on three attempts a game, that needs to be better. But the thing is, it probably will be better at least at the three-point shooter because you're getting used to the NBA line, you're getting used to playing at the NBA speed, you're getting used to being on an NBA team, you're getting used to having to be around other NBA athletes. All that stuff affects your ability to shoot and make the shot consistently. So I really truly think that Julian getting another off season in this system, getting another year under his belt, having the other players to be able to encourage him, and then even now, if Russell Westbrook is there, Sergeant is there, more veterans to be able to help him understand court placement, where he needs to be, where his feet and hands need to be, where he needs to relocate when he's getting off of the ball, where he needs to be able to handle business. Like, Julian's going to have a lot of really interesting opportunities in front of him and I'm really excited to see how the Denver Nuggets allow for him to flourish because again, if Julian is, let's just say, you know, imaginary world, imaginary world, Julian is 12 points again next year, shooting 41% from three on attempts and he can hit his free throw shots. You know, last year he shot 71% from the free throw line with Julian's ability to shoot the ball. It should be 41 and 80% from the free throw line, 41% from three, 80% from the free throw line. And then, you know, we'll see what we're going from here. I think of Julian's able to do that, the Nuggets are cooking with gas, gas, because now it's like they have really truly formidable offensive options offensively on the, on the, on the starter unit, but now adding in a team where you have a second year player on a rookie contract, it's a legitimate true score, next to Yokich, Murray, MPJ, and Gordon. So, you know, we'll find out, man, I think this is going to be a really big year from Julian Strathor. Let me know what y'all think in the comments section. How do you feel about Jamal Murray's current contract situation? Do you think the Denver Nuggets bench will be better? How do you think Julian Strathor is going to fit in this rotation and how does he possibly make them better this next year? Y'all, this your boy, Swiper, Lockdown Nuggets, see y'all on the other side. 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