Nuggets' $207M All-Star, three-level scorer named surprise trade candidate by NBA insider

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Nuggets' $207M All-Star, three-level scorer named surprise trade candidate by NBA insider originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Denver Nuggets have an interesting future, to say the least, especially when it comes to the core they have built over the last several seasons. This offseason, the team was unable to add significant pieces around superstars Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokic due to salary-cap restrictions.

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After this season, Jokic will have the opportunity to sign elsewhere rather than remain in Denver. Depending on how the year unfolds, teams are already preparing for the possibility that he could leave the Nuggets organization.

“[Nikola Jokic] can profess his loyalty to the [Denver] Nuggets, there's still going to be teams that are positioning themselves and monitoring that. ... It's the same thing with Luka. He's done nothing but express optimism and excitement ... but it's not that long-term of an extension," ESPN’s Tim MacMahon said.

The beginning of the season hasn't been particularly pleasant for Denver, as the team got off to a slow start. That included being booed by its own fans, something Jokic clearly wasn't happy about.

“I think the fans that booed us are not welcome here anymore, if you ask me… if you guys follow us, you know that we never quit and we came back from much worse for similar situations," Jokic said.

The Nuggets are at a point where, if they don't perform well this season and believe Jokic could leave, they may have to seriously consider blowing up the roster. For that reason, NBA insider Zach Lowe has named Murray as a potential surprise trade candidate.

“I said Jamal Murray just because if this team isn’t good, I think something is gonna crack here. I’m not closing the door,” Lowe said.

A potential move involving Murray would certainly be a major development in Denver, especially considering the championship the organization won just a few years ago. However, the Nuggets have struggled to win playoff series since that title run.

Murray is currently playing under a $207 million contract with the organization. He remains a valuable scorer and a veteran presence in the locker room. It also can't be overlooked that he has four years of team control remaining, meaning any team acquiring him would be adding a player who could remain part of its plans for years to come.

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