Jamal Murray enters his ninth NBA season off a career-best year where he averaged 21.4 points per game, yet he remains one of the league’s most notable players without an All-Star selection. This persistent snub has been a personal motivator; after being overlooked again in 2024, Murray stated, “I think you guys have seen me play at a pretty high level against those same guys that are All-Stars”. His playoff heroics remain notable, but the regular-season consistency has always been the question.

The backdrop for this year is different, defined by a subtle but significant shift in Denver’s long-term security. Nikola Jokic, the team’s three-time MVP, decided this summer to delay contract extension talks until 2026. While there is no indication he wants to leave, this move adds an unspoken urgency to win now. The Nuggets have aggressively retooled the roster, adding players like Cam Johnson and Bruce Brown, explicitly to maximize the title window around their superstar. As the the Denver Nuggets Vice President of Basketball Operations Ben Tenzer noted, “the whole point” of adding depth is to play starters fewer minutes.

Reports highlighting the Denver Nuggets‘ offseason have zeroed in on the specific pressure facing Murray. According to a team preview, “There is pressure on Jamal Murray to be in shape and produce like an All-Star from the beginning of the season, and there is an expectation that everybody will do what’s necessary to compete for another championship”. The analysis notes that even with a thinner roster last year, Denver was close to success, implying that with the new additions, underperformance is less tolerable. The media consensus is that Murray must start faster than he often has in past years and carry steady scoring and playmaking early to let Denver set its pecking order and preserve Jokic’s legs for the postseason.

The numbers support this heightened scrutiny. Murray’s new four-year, $208 million contract extension kicks in this season, cementing his status as a max player. The Nuggets were outscored by 9.8 points per 100 possessions when Jokic sat last year, a weakness directly addressed by signing Jonas Valančiūnas. With a deeper bench, Murray has the help to avoid fatigue, making his historical inconsistency in the first few months a focal point. The core question remains: “Can Jamal Murray be the best version of himself for something close to a full season?”

If Murray fails to deliver consistent All Star level play early the consequences are structural and immediate for Denver. Jokic waiting on an extension raises uncertainty about the long term core and reduces Denver’s flexibility to add difference making pieces later, and scouts warn that losing ground in the standings could make it harder to keep its window open. For Murray, the path is simple: stay healthy, start strong, and justify the new depth by leading with consistent scoring and reliable defense. Failing to do that noy only invites pressure from above over his own future, but Jokic’s as well.

Jokic’s timeline to force Denver’s hand?

Nikola Jokic’s decision to postpone his extension has sent a ripple through the entire organization, putting future contracts under a microscope. By waiting until next summer, Jokic can sign a larger four-year deal worth nearly $80 million more, but his delay has other teams taking notice. NBA insider Sam Amick reported that several rival franchises, including the Lakers and Warriors, are strategically positioning themselves with salary cap space for the summer of 2027. This league-wide anticipation forces Denver to be cautious with every long-term commitment.

This cautious approach directly impacts newcomer Cam Johnson, acquired in the trade for Michael Porter Jr. Johnson is entering his prime on a manageable two-year contract, but his future extension is now inherently tied to Jokic’s plans. The Nuggets saved significant money by swapping Porter’s $38 million salary for Johnson’s $21 million deal, creating flexibility. However, Amick noted the front office’s patient stance, saying, “I want to see it first… I want to see that he was an upgrade over MPJ”. The team must evaluate Johnson’s fit without hastily committing big money.

For Johnson, the mandate is clear: prove he is the reliable two-way wing Denver needs. He is coming off a career year averaging 18.8 points, and his 39% three-point shooting mirrors Porter’s output. A strong season from Johnson is essential not just for his own contract talks, but for demonstrating to Jokic that the front office can intelligently build a contending team around him, something in the vein of how the Milwaukee Bucks have approached doubt over Giannis Antetokounmpo’s future.