The Nuggets Should At Least Listen To Jamal Murray Offers

We kick around a bold Nuggets offseason question: is it time to listen to Jamal Murray trade offers even after a championship run. We weigh Murray’s value against Denver’s defensive needs and brainstorm realistic and unrealistic deals that could better fit Nikola Jokic’s window.
• Denver looking far from contending status despite Jokic’s dominance 
• Nuggets defensive concerns and why stops matter in the playoffs 
• Jamal Murray’s profile as a fringe All-Star entering age 30 
• Regular season and playoff splits used to frame Murray’s value 
• List of younger guards who earned All-Star nods earlier 
• What Jokic needs most: 3-and-D wings, rim protection, reliable depth 
• Potential targets and swaps including Utah pieces and Toronto options 
• Bigger swings like pairing Jokic with Kevin Durant or Giannis 
• Why Murray looks different against elite perimeter defenders 
• Our closing question: keep the title core or cash in for fit and youth 
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Transcript

Welcome And Quick Housekeeping

SPEAKER_00 0:00

What's up everybody? It's your favorite show, it's favorite show get a bucket. I'm your host, Trey, and as usual. I hope you're all having a wonderful, wonderful day. Today we're gonna talk about some NBA potential trades. But before before we do that, please make sure to hit that like and subscribe button, comment, tell anyone who's anyone about the show. Trying to get the ratings up a little bit, you know, just a little bit. And if you're wondering where you heard this before, that's because you've been listening to me Monday through Friday at 11 o'clock a.m. Eastern Standard Time. So I greatly appreciate you for the support. Now,

Why Denver Feels Off Defensively

SPEAKER_00 0:25

you may be wondering what NBA trades potentially, potential trades I'm talking about. Well, look, right, I think it's no secret that Nicola Jokic is is in the is with the Denver Nuggets. And he even himself has said that they are far away from contending status. I think Jaden McDaniels, I think yeah, Jaden McDaniels has definitely said that the Nuggets can't really guard nobody. It's called get a bucket, right? So Jaden's basic saying, yo, we can get a bucket on any of y'all at any point in time. What's up? Right? And there could be some truth to that. Like some of them can defend. I think Aaron Gordon's a solid defender. I'm not gonna I'm not gonna he could be fringe elite. Like I think that's fair to say. You know, he was cool. Christian Braun, he's alright. I'm again not I'm not saying elite. I'd say a respectable player. Bruce Brown, he's cool. You know, he actually a good defender, for real, for real. Cam Johnson was all he he he he cool. He's cool, he's cool. I think his spacing really makes him cooler than what he is, though. But you know, he's cool, he's cool. But y'all hearing the the status of how I'm viewing some of these defenders. Well, Jokik is actually gonna need some defenders around his team. Now keep in mind, you know, Yoke was yoking a couple seasons ago for sure. And he's still been pretty dominant. Fell off a little bit after his injury this season. But again, numbers-wise, he looked good efficiency-wise, that was a whole nother discussion.

The Real Question: Trade Murray?

SPEAKER_00 2:04

Well, I ain't talking about Jokic. That's just the draw for this little topic. I'm actually looking at Jamal Murray. Should they actually look to trade Jamal? Keep in mind, I like Jamal Murray. Like he did his thing this season, first-time all-star, right? Kudos to him. He was in the MVP race, kudos to him, tip of the cap, all that good stuff. Him and Jokic were cons were considered the best NBA duo, especially when they won a damn championship, right? So I hear you. I I hear it. I genuinely do. Again, I like Jamal Murray. I just think when I look at Jamal Murray, this is a fringe NBA All-Star who has debuted in 2017 and again is a one-time All-Star at the age of 29. So next season he turns 30. And if he don't win another all, if he doesn't get selected to another all another all-star team, that could be problematic. And and to be clear, that could be realistic as well, too. Like it's no guarantee that he gets the all-star nod again next year, too, to be clear. Now, this past season, if I'm not mistaken, right? No, no, I'm sorry. During the regular season, he's usually given about 19 points, four rebounds, five assists, one steal point, four blocks on quality shooting from the field. 46, 39, 87 splits. In the playoffs, he did go up. So again, if you want to try to trade, if you say you don't want to trade him because his numbers have gone up in the playoffs, I hear that. 45, 37, 91 splits. That's not bad at all. I'll tell I'll actually take that off my team. But I get you. But when I look at Jamal Murray, there are uh there are quite a few guards who have made an all-star appearance before Jamal Murray did. And we're talking about age, by the way, too. And he's had the situation to do so. Because remember, even after his championship year, what was that, 2023, did not make an all-star appearance. Injuries were were quite a problem. His regular season production is not the same. So, could we get a little higher production from Jamal like we did this past season? Let's figure that out. Let's wait to see. But there are about 10 guards that I just remembered were younger than him when they made their all-star selection. Which is why I'm considering to make a trade using Jamal Murray as the bait.

Younger Guards Passing Him By

SPEAKER_00 4:28

Now keep in mind, we have players like Tyrese Maxie, Anthony Edwards. Okay, cool. Anthony Edwards isn't a point guard. I heard you. I heard you. I heard you. But just flow with me. So let's let's let's factor. I'm gonna just list some guards and I'm gonna just we just keep it like that. And keep in mind, every guard that I'm listing is younger than Jamal Murray, or at the very least, has debuted around the same time as Jamal Murray. I'll take one year before. I don't think I have anything more than two, honestly. So we got Tyrese Halliburton, and everyone that I've named thus far is younger than him. Like I said, they debuted in 2021. Keep in mind, alright? Darren Fox debuted 2018. He he he he he's an all-star. John Morant debuted in 2020, SGA, 2019, Trey Young, 2019, Lamello Ball, 2021, Tyler Hero, 2020. Even D'Angelo Russell in 2016. They were all all-star guards before Jamal Murray. Like, when I'm talking about all star, I'm talking about Jamal Murray was an all-star at the age of 29. Everybody else, the oldest that we had was De'Aaron Fox and Tyler Hero at 25. That's the oldest. So why should we have to cling to Jamal Murray?

What Jokic Needs To Win

SPEAKER_00 5:58

Especially when, again, Nicola Jokic, what does he need? 3 and D wings, a playmaker to do a pick and roll with, which does include Jamal Murray. So that part heard you. He needs backup bigs. They have Jonas Valentinous, but maybe they can get a rim protector as well, too. They need rim protection. Hello, Aaron Gordon. You've been serving as y'all backup big as well, too. But you know, if you could play more of the forward to backup big, I'd appreciate that. I'd appreciate him more in that role, especially as he ages. Playmakers, again, you got yoke. You also got Tyus Jones, they also have Jamal Murray. So they do have a lot of the needs that help make Yokick Jokic. Because if Jokic can continue with passing the ball and scoring the ball and being able to rebound the ball and not have to be the rim protector that his team needs, he's in a good situation. So for me, and I'm thinking the nuggets and what they need to target, right? It's re-signing players like a Bruce Brown. Could they acquire a player like a Colin Sexton? Because keep in mind, Colin actually can hoop. And then defensively, he just short. That's it. But he's a young dog dog. Give him credit. He is a dog for sure. So I'd like to see them try to target someone like a Colin Sexton. Kevin Porter Jr., even too. That could be a quality addition as well. They can make that IA. I'd do that if I'm them. Because he can also defend and get a bucket. They need players like that. I've been considering this.

Utah Swap: Depth And Defense

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Keonta George and Bryce Sensei ball from Utah. You make that swap. Like and you send over a Jamal Murray. Because Jamal Murray can play alongside Isaiah Collier, because Isaiah Collier can still run the one. Jamal can be the two. Or you can make Jamal the one and try to have a really big roster. Imagine this, right? Jamal Murray, Ace Bailey, Laurie Markinen, Jaron Jackson Jr., and Walker Kessler. You mean to tell me they can't get it popping over there? Because if you believe that Jamal Murray is the player that a lot of people try to make him out to be, oh, he got 24, 5, and 6 in the playoffs. He's a champion. He's a closer. Cool. Give him his own team then. See what he does. And keep in mind, it ain't like Lloyd Markinen is a slouch. Jaron Jackson Jr. can hoop too. Walker Kessler, alright, young, but he's alright. Got good height to him. That's a versatile squad right there. And then Ace Bailey could end up being one of the better players on the team. Let's see what happens. But you also got a lineup where you got what, Jamal's 6'4? Everybody else is like 6'9 and taller. I got Ace as a 6'9 shooting guard. Let's just see what happens. And Jamal still 60, he's still 29, so he's still relatively young. That could work. Meanwhile, the Nuggets, you get a player who's younger than Jamal, has all-star caliber talent, and is giving you at minimum equivalent numbers to what Jamal just gave you this season. And did you hear me when I say he's younger? And then with Bryce, you actually get a wing who, when Jaden says y'all can't defend, guess what? Bryce can actually score a little bit and defend. So I got a player who can get a bucket and defend, and I get another player who can get a bucket and playmate. I think I may like to take that gamble.

Toronto Idea: Ingram And Poeltl

SPEAKER_00 9:26

Now, another thing you could try to do is send Jamal back home to Toronto. And you get Brandon Ingram and Jakob Purdle. Because the money works like that. And keep in mind, B.I. can run some of your point guard duties. Not saying he's a point guard, but remember you have Nicola Jokic. And I said you need a someone who can do a pick and roll with Jokic. Well, I think Jamal Murray has showcased how to do that. I think B.I. has the skill to do so. And then we're talking about backup center again. He's not the best rim protector, but damn, he can get some rebounds. He can be a quality big for Jokik to the point that they can even play on the same floor. They can play on the team on the floor at the same time. So again, if I'm if I'm the Nuggets, I'm looking to at least hear out trade offers for Jamal Murray. Would I ultimately pull the plug on B.I. and Jakob Purdle, I'd have to think about it. Keontae George and Bryce Sensley ball, I'd have to think

Big Swings: KD, Role Targets

SPEAKER_00 10:30

about it. What about Kevin Durant and Fred Van Fleet? We gotta make sure that the money would match for sure. You may have to let off some, you may have to trade some other pieces. But hey, pairing Fred Van Fleet, even though he just got injured, I hear you. Fred Van Fleet and Kevin Durant, offensively, they're looking quite stout. Defensively, that's another discussion. But you just prove that you have troubles defending people like the Wolves. Getting someone like Katie to pair with Jokic, he ain't gotta worry about offense again. Like, not at all. So, and then you just get some defenders to help out along the way. Because everybody would love to play with, or play on the same team as Kevin Durant and Nicole Jokic, I promise you. From a floor perspective, forget about off the court right now. I'm just talking about talent. Everybody would want to play with those two on the basketball court. Also acquire someone like a Gary Trent Jr. Again, when I talked about Kevin Porter Jr., you need those bigger guards like 6'4, 6'5, who can get a bucket and also do a little bit of playmaking, who can space the floor out, who and who are willing defenders. That's a Gary Trent. That's a Kevin Porter Jr. Andrew Wiggins, I think, would be really spectacular for the Nuggets. He can give you about 20, 15 to 20, and also guard the better players on the opposing team. Still a top quality athlete. I wouldn't mind him. These are some of the Nuggets targets that I would expect them to get. I

Dream Build: Pair Jokic With Giannis

SPEAKER_00 11:49

think their ideal situation is be able to get Giannis. And if they can come up with a roster like Ryan Rollins, Cam Johnson, Aaron Gordon, Nikola Jokic, and Giannis Andy DeCumbo, with Tyus Jones coming off the bench along with Tim Hardaway, Jr., Bruce Brown, and Christian Bronx. I think you have something there. Because, hell, how do you stop Giannis and Nicola Yokick? Them two by themselves could do a pick and roll. How do you stop that? And Jokic can space the floor out. He can also pass the ball to Giannis. Giannis doesn't need to have to worry about running the offense no more. And if they get in transition game, Yoke can easily turn to K Love and pass the ball out to Giannis. It could be really beautiful. And did I forget to mention that Aaron Gordon is in that small forward to back up big spot like I mentioned earlier? And then you got players like Ryan Rollins and Cam. Cam Johnson would be a 6'8 shooting guard. That's disgusting. And Ryan Rollins is what, 6'3 to 6'5? I think 6'3. But he can defend pretty well. He can also get a buck and he can playmake. But he doesn't have to be the playmaker because you got Yokick and Giannis. I think that would be their ideal situation, but I don't think the Bucks get Jamal Murray because, again, he's 29 years old. I don't think they want to sell that to the fan base. But the money might be able to work out with some of them

Murray Vs Elite Defenders

SPEAKER_00 13:06

trades. So again, ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, I'm curious. Even though the Nuggets got a championship in 2023, they have looked a little lackluster, especially in the playoffs. And Jamal Murray did not look that good. And it's against the same team, the Wolves. Against my Lakers, when we didn't have a good perimeter defender, or we didn't, or we did, but our coach didn't want to utilize him. Well, what happened? Jamal Murray looked pretty damn good. I'll give it to you. He did. But when we see, okay, you got more athletic guards, you got better defenders, well, now he don't look as good. Now he doesn't look as stellar. Again, had a quality regular season. I'm not taking anything away from him. He's a champion. I'm not taking that away from him at all. His playoff production increased from when in comparison to his regular season. I'll give you that. I'm giving him his flowers. I'm just saying if you're the Nuggets, you want to keep Yokick there, a consideration should be made about Jamal Murray being traded. And you may want to look at some younger players because there are some younger players out there that are giving you the production that Jamal Murray has given, just to be clear. And again, we have ten guards. Fine, let's take off Anthony Edwards. He's not a point guard. And if that's the case, we maybe need to take off SGA too, because I technically don't consider him a point guard. He is one. He is one, but I have him personally as a two guard. But fine, let's let's keep him up. So we got nine other players who should be ahead of Jamal Murray. Not ahead of, but they got their all-star nod ahead of Jamal Murray's age. And I can't say it's unfair or he had tougher competition. Because again, I got some Western guards in here like John Morant, SGA, De'Aaron Fox. Was D Lo on our team? No, he got there on the East. He got down the East. But still, ladies and gentlemen, there are other players who have who were younger and were all-stars before Jamal Murray. So, me personally, when I look at that, Jamal Murray's a good player. He's also a tradable asset. And if I'm the Nuggets, I'm looking at my team and wondering, are we going to get past a team like the Spurs, like the Thunder? Because adding the depth that I talked about, let's say, for example, with Keontae George and Bryce Sensei ball, guess what? Those two can be viewed as good enough to help get you over the hump. We're adding depth. We're adding players who can play who can pair well with Nicola Jokic. And we're also replacing the value that Jamal Murray brought. Am I saying that Keontae George is going to be better than what Jamal Murray did? No, Jamal. To be clear, Jamal Murray definitely hooped in the playoffs. And that's what we still kind of have to wait to see about Keontae. But the good thing for Keonta in this situation, ladies and gentlemen, is that he's playing with an MVP. So he's not like he has to be the guy. He has to be a second option on this team. And I think that's doable. I think Keontae George has shown enough to be a second or even a third option on a championship team. And I think another egregious thing the Nuggets did was letting go of Michael Porter Jr. Shouldn't have done that. Because now the roles are a little bit different. But I think Keontae has shown enough to be a second option paired with someone of the same caliber as Nicola Jokic. But that's just me, though. And again, if you don't believe me, heard you. But remember, Jamal Murray looks pretty good because he plays alongside Nicola Jokic. And remember, this is the first season that he's given all-star caliber numbers at the age of 29. He turns 38 this upcoming season. And someone like a Keontae George is like what? 23? 22? So we got time. And I think that could be a sales pitch too for someone like a

Final Take And Listener Question

SPEAKER_00 17:05

Yoke. But again, ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, I'm curious what you all think. Would you like to see a Jamal Murray traded? Or would yeah, oh, yeah. Yeah. Would y'all like to see him traded? Do you and then also, do you think he needs to be traded? Do you think he's invaluable to the Nuggets because they won a championship? Because that's case hell. Look at what happened with MPJ. And he was their third option, I'm just saying. But let me know your thoughts and comments below, ladies and gentlemen. But that does conclude the end of the episode. So please make sure to like, subscribe, comment, tell anyone who's anyone about the show. My name is Trey. I'm the host of Get a Bucket. I hope you're all having a good one. Take care.