According to a report by ESPN’s Zach Lowe, the Nuggets stood firm in their belief in Jamal Murray’s potential and rejected the opportunity to trade for Kyrie Irving in 2017.
Denver’s president of basketball operations, Tim Connelly, approached head coach Michael Malone during that time with the possibility of trading Murray for a marquee veteran, which included Irving after his trade request from the Cavaliers.
However, the Nuggets were adamantly against the trade, as they saw Murray as the perfect point guard alongside Nikola Jokic. Their confidence in Murray’s abilities remained unwavering, even after he suffered a torn ACL on his left knee, causing him to miss the entire 2021-2022 NBA season.
This season, Murray made a triumphant return, playing a pivotal role in the Nuggets’ journey to win the 2023 NBA championship. The 26-year-old guard showcased his skills, averaging 26.1 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 7.1 assists per game in the playoffs, solidifying his status as a rising star.
