Jamal Murray has his sights set right now on one goal, and one goal only.
During the first day of the 2024 NBA Draft, it looked like the Denver Nuggets were going to sort out their business in a timely manner, as it was reported that they are “working towards” an agreement with star guard Jamal Murray on a four-year, $209 million extension. Murray is currently entering the final year of the five-year, $170 million deal he signed in 2019, and it’s an urgent matter of business for the Nuggets to secure the 27-year-old’s services for the long haul.
However, the negotiations between Murray and the Nuggets haven’t exactly gone as smoothly as planned. It has now been two weeks since draft night, and here the Nuggets are, still unable to come to terms to an agreement with Murray. For now, however, representing Team Canada in the 2024 Paris Olympics is the number one priority in Murray’s mind.
“When we get there, we get there I guess. I am playing games right now for Canada so it’s not on my mind,” Murray told reporters following Canada’s 86-72 loss to Team USA in an exhibition game on Wednesday night, via Troy Renck of The Denver Post.
It’s not quite clear what exactly has caused the snag in contract extension talks between Jamal Murray and the Nuggets. Both sides were reportedly “protecting themselves” in earlier negotiations, per Ryan Blackburn of Mile High Sports, with the Nuggets not offering a “straight up, plain max extension offer”.
Whatever the case may be, the Nuggets have to sort this situation out quickly. Nikola Jokic is already under contract for at least three more seasons (with a player option for the 2027-28 campaign), and it will not be in the Nuggets’ best interest to break up the Jokic and Murray two-man dance that was the backbone of their run to the championship in 2023.
But indeed, for now, Jamal Murray is focusing on being his best self for Team Canada as they look to build upon their bronze-medal finish in the 2023 FIBA World Cup. Last season with the Nuggets, Murray averaged 21.2 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 6.5 assists per game on 48/43/85 shooting splits.
