With the trade season officially opens, teams have a chance to gauge at their expectations this season. With Nikola Jokic at the helm for the middling Nuggets, there is no option other than contending for the title. However, the current roster dynamics don’t seem to fully complement the Joker’s extraordinary production. Notably, questions have been raised on Jamal Murray not performing to his usual standards.

But given their evergreen two-man punch, it’s hard to see anyone else fit so seamlessly besides Jokic. Yet, the recent developments have the Road Trippin’ crew practically begging Denver to make a switch. While they did address Murray’s recent upswing, Richard Jefferson is of the opinion that the season thus far has been “average”.

“He needs to play better. The last four years he averaged 21, 20 points a game. I am talking about offensively, he’s having a B minus season,” said the former Cavaliers forward.

Jefferson though doesn’t feel Murray is holding the Nuggets back. The same can’t be said for Kendrick Perkins who indicated Murray is a “puppy” this year. Perk feels the pressure on Jokic to deliver an astronomic performance on a nightly basis is overwhelming. What the Nuggets need is another stable contributor to take some of the responsibilities off the three-time MVP’s shoulder. And rather than ‘wasting time’, the former Celtic wants the front office to bring in De’Aaron Fox.

“At some point if you’re the Denver Nuggets, you got to do the right thing and don’t waste Jokic’s time… Jamal Murray is not cutting the mustard no matter how you try to slice it and dice it. The league has gotten better,” he said. “Who I’m looking at right now, I tweeted this the other day. De’Aaron Fox moves the needle way more than Jamal Murray. I would keep an eye on that situation over there in Sacramento,” Perk concluded.

Fox is stuck in a similar spot like Nikola Jokic. While he is producing career-averages, the Kings have lost four straight games at home. And with just one season left on his contract, there is a growing belief that the Kings may move on from their experiment. Perkins feels it would be a “serious upgrade” from Murray.

In terms of production and impact, it is true. But can Fox help elevate the Denver Nuggets?

Top Comment by CCD RIDER

So ridiculous. Unless you’re talking about trying to pull off a trade like this next year, it’s moot. The Nuggets...more

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Debate

How would a Jamal Murray-De’Aaron Fox look like for Denver?

What made the Nuggets’ one-two punch so effective all these years in Murray’s ability to cover for Nikola Jokic. He could navigate through screens and be at the same wavelength as Nikola Jokic all the time. Furthermore, their pick and roll action was elite. But this season, his efficiency and utility in such motions has waned.

On the other hand, Fox is among the better P&R scorers in the game. His 1.09 points in such setting ranks for 88.5 percentile in the league. Additionally, the unparalleled pace in his drives allows for him to go on scoring tears, a trait Murray hasn’t been able to boast this season.

Another advantage Denver has is making Fox a part of the future. At just 28, he only has a year remaining on his $163 million extension with the Kings. If a Jokic-Fox tandem begins to succeed, it can act as a magnet for the top role players to be tempted to joining Denver. Currently averaging 26 points per night, De’Aaron Fox has cemented himself as one of the top scoring guards in the league.

A hint that he could fit well around Jokic is his dynamic besides Domantas Sabonis. Both him and the Joker are big men who act as the focal playmakers for their roster. And Fox has shown he can adjust to such synergy and thrive. While his three-point shooting isn’t in the same stratosphere as Murray, the range of scoring options Fox provides are greater.

But most importantly is his effort on defense. Denver hasn’t been able to contain opponents this season, giving away the seventh most points. Nearly half of the damage is done by the backcourt, averaging 65.5 points per game against the Nuggets this season. Jamal Murray isn’t particularly blessed with a long wingspan or the tenacity of Fox.

The Kings guard has been able to generate a greater number of turnovers from opposition guards. De’Aaron Fox is also recording the second-best defensive rating of his career. Hence, a move as such could bolster the Nuggets’ championship hopes. But Murray’s postseason experience can’t be undermined considering Fox has only been to the playoffs once.

Would you want the Nuggets to make this trade? Let us know your views in the comments below.