Can Christian Braun steps up and Jamal Murray's Future?

Can Christian Braun steps up and Jamal Murray's Future?

The Denver Nuggets have lost one of their key players. A teammate who was key in winning a championship in 2023. One of the best shooters in the league, along with being a good defender. The team lost a valuable locker room presence because of the cap space. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope has left the Denver Nuggets. In hopes of more money and a similar opportunity with the Orlando Magic. The Nuggets still have their core with Jokic, Murray, Gordan, and Porter Jr. With KCP gone, Braun has a shot to start.

Christian Braun was impressive during his run in the finals. Scoring 15 points against the Miami Heat in game 3. He looked great as he was only 22 years old. Coming straight from an NCAA championship. Perfect depth for this roster. But last season, he made no real improvements. After Bruce Brown left, he could not fill in the must needed role. But now all that has changed. Expectations have changed. Christian has to become a starter. He needs to become a consistent 3-point shooter and defender. Partnering with Nikola Jokic enhances his skills. With the Joker, a top playmaker, it could help Braun. Everyone hopes for a big jump in his third season. The Nuggets look weak compared to the Mavs and Wolves. But if Braun improves, they might compete. Be a team that can be a title contender. There is a lot of pressure for Braun to become a solid 3&D player. But he is not the only player with a lot of pressure, but Jamal Murray is also facing the same heat.

Jamal Murray has been a disappointment since the 2023 finals. Where he was able to bounce back after his brutal injury in 2021. It was a beautiful Cinderella story. In the 2021 and 2022 post-seasons, Denver felt his absence when they got eliminated. The Suns and the Warriors bounced them out. So when Jamal returned and helped the Nuggets win the finals, it was special. But since then it has been tough for the second option.

In the middle of the season, Jamal Murray gets hurt. It was too important a part of the season in April when Murray hurt his elbow. This has been the story of Jamal Murray. He has not been able to stay healthy enough to make the All-Star or All-NBA team. And this postseason showed that the injuries are adding up. The Minnesota Timberwolves shut down Jamal. He did not look like the Jamal Murray of 2023. The Timberwolves were able to pick apart his game. This past Olympics, he looked out of shape. He was horrible, averaging 6 points, 4 assists, and 2 turnovers a game. It was a horrible look for a player looking to get a paycheck soon. This season is an important season for Murray, as he needs to play at an All-Star level to get paid big. If he doesn't take action, Denver may offer him a low salary, or he may have to join another team.

With these recent performances, it should make the Nuggets and Jokic concerned. Nikola Jokic is in the prime of his career, winning 3 MVPs and a Finals MVP. He wants to add more accomplishments to his trophy case. If Jamal does not live up to his 2023 form, then it could force the Nuggets to trade for a second star. As Jamal can't fit that mold. Denver is aware of the lack of health in Jamal, as they signed Russell Westbrook this off-season. To replace the Bruce Brown role. If Jamal Murray become an All-Star caliber player, then he could lose some serious money. Which is something that the agents wouldn't want. Now, he has the remaining off-season to work out and build himself back. To help build the Nuggets to finals contention. To put them up in the conversation for a title. The Nuggets are banking on Jamal Murry along with Christian Braun to show up big.

The Denver Nuggets did not have a good off-season. But that is not the end-all-be-all. Christian Braun, if he makes a third-season jump, could be huge for Denver and the 2025 playoffs. He could be a great two-way player who can defend and shoot. The Nuggets front office signed veterans like Russell Westbrook to lead the bench. Along with Dario Saric and DeAndre Jordan to be rotational bigs. Also, having some young players like Peyton Watson on their roster. And other players who have opportunities opened for them. But one player who has pressure is Jamal Murray. He needs a huge bounceback. With his horrible post-season performance and the Olympics. It has led fans to worry. Is Jamal our guy for the future? Is he the true star next to Jokic? We will have to address all this during the next regular season. Depending on his play, Murray could get the extension he hopes for or lose a lot of money and resign for cheap. The Nuggets have a lot of question marks coming into the 2024-25 season.

Update: Jamal Murray got paid!

The Nuggets decided to make a big extension. Giving Jamal Murray a 204 million dollar deal for five years. Keeping the duo of Jokic and Murray alive for another four years. A lot of questions arise with this deal. Can Jamal Murray stay healthy? His last post-season and the Olympics were terrible. That could affect this season. At the same time, I understand why Denver made their decision. Why risk the chance of Jamal leaving for nothing? But with this deal, there are a lot of expectations.

Denver expects Murray to make the All-Star and All-NBA teams. It's been tough for him to meet those expectations. Point guards like Steph Curry, SGA, Fox, and Morant share the same conference. A factor that hurts Jamal is the lack of availability. Since his ACL injury, he has been in and out of action. When healthy, he is a championship player, as we saw in 2023. Along with being one of the best guards in the league. This season it would be big to see him healthy. As he could achieve his goal of making his first All-Star appearance. The Nuggets have paid him star money in the hopes that he brings another trophy to Denver.

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