Jamal Murray, Denver Nuggets
The only player that would make sense for the Houston Rockets to acquire in a James Harden trade with the Denver Nuggets would be Jamal Murray. However, the Denver Nuggets would probably hang up the phone immediately if the Rockets called with this offer because bringing in James Harden at the cost of Jamal Murray would be detrimental to this team and franchise.
Mike Singer of the Denver Post reported Tuesday that the Nuggets have not even given it thought to trading Jamal Murray and that he and Jokic are both untouchable in any trade talks. This should put an end to any discussions with the Houston Rockets revolving around a James Harden trade, but hypothetically, let’s take a look at if the Nuggets were to trade Murray to the Rockets.
Jamal Murray on the Rockets would be one of the best things to happen to this franchise if they were to move on from James Harden given how young Murray is and the talent he possesses. The young guard is only 23-years old and has the makings of being an All-Star for years to come.
During the Nuggets postseason run in the NBA Bubble last season, Jamal Murray averaged 26.5 points, 6.6 assists, 4.8 rebounds while shooting 50.5% from the floor and 45.3% from three-point range. He was arguably one of the toughest players to guard in the NBA during this span and set some new records along the way.
Jamal Murray made a total of 62 3-pointers in his 19-game postseason run, setting the All-Time record for any player 25-years old or younger in a single postseason, he scored 40+ points in four games during the Nuggets postseason run, including two 50-point games in the first-round of the Western Conference playoffs against the Utah Jazz and Murray joined his opponent, Donovan Mitchell as two of only four players in NBA history to score 50+ points twice in the same playoff series, joining the likes of Michael Jordan (1988) and Allen Iverson (2001).
He is one of the rising stars in the NBA and in a few years, could end up being one of the faces of the NBA. This is why Jamal Murray is so highly coveted by the Denver Nuggets and why he would be the only player that the Rockets should target in a potential James Harden trade with Denver.
