After years of struggle, Denver finally has a starting point guard.
Ever since European star Nikola Jokic blossomed in 2016, the Denver Nuggets have been a playoff contender. But to get over the hump, a big question needed answering.
Who would be Denver’s starting point guard?
The quest for an answer goes back 2014-2015. Ty Lawson was a bright spot on a 30-52 team, averaging 15.2 ppg and 9.6 apg. But Lawson was arrested in the offseason on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol. Things snowballed from there and Lawson eventually found himself out of the league.
Needing a replacement, Denver then turned to 6’5” international player, Emmanuel Mudiay. An intriguing prospect, Mudiay decided to play overseas in China before declaring for the draft.
Scouts were skeptical about Mudiay’s decision because they had no capacity to evaluate how well he’d play in an American style system.
The scouts’ concerns were real. Mudiay had a rough time adjusting to the NBA. He averaged 12 points and about 5 assists per game during his first two years–reasonable numbers if it weren’t for the fact that he averaged 30.4 minutes a game during his rookie year and 28.2 minutes per game over that two-year span.
Next up was Jameer Nelson, a 6′ feet tall 33-year-old NBA journeyman. Nelson wasn’t the answer, either. He put up bleak numbers–8 points and 5 assists a game. The result was a 33-49 record in 2015-16 and that put Denver back in the lottery searching for a point guard.
Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
This time the Nuggets turned to Jamal Murray, the 7th overall pick in the draft. Murray, who played at Kentucky, immediately brought excitement to the team. He showed a glimpse of potential as a rookie, averaging 10 points and 2.1 assists while shooting 33% from three. The Nuggets finished 40-42 in 2016-17, good for 9th in the Western Conference.
But it was yet another player move that helped Murray blossom. It came from signing Paul Millsap, a four-time All-Star. Millsap’s addition has helped Murray improve significantly. Murray is currently averaging 16.5 points, 3 assists, and is shooting an impressive 38% from three.
With Murray’s role solidifying at point guard, Denver’s front office traded Mudiay to the Knicks in a three-team trade.
After years of struggle, Denver finally has a starting point guard.
