NBA Rumors: Jamal Murray a Surprise Trade Candidate if Nuggets Struggle?

The Denver Nuggets, off to a 4-3 start to the 2026-2027 season, face potential roster changes. While the franchise remains anchored by three-time MVP Nikola Jokic, analysts are beginning to openly question whether the team’s core—specifically long-time backcourt partner Jamal Murray—could become a piece moved to catalyze a larger structural shift.

Zach Lowe, a prominent NBA analyst, recently suggested that Murray could emerge as a surprise trade candidate if Denver fails to establish itself as a legitimate title contender. As reported by Bebasket.fr, Lowe noted that if the team continues to produce mediocre results, the front office may be forced to consider significant changes that were previously off the table. “If this team isn’t good, I think something is gonna crack here. I’m not closing the door,” Lowe stated regarding the possibility of a move involving the Canadian guard.

Jamal Murray could be a surprise trade candidate if the Nuggets struggle this season, per @ZachLowe_NBA “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.”(h/t @TheNBABase) pic.twitter.com/BSTkKyQcQg

— Fullcourtpass (@Fullcourtpass) November 5, 2026

Limited Payroll Flexibility Complicates Team Roster Decisions

The Nuggets are operating with limited financial maneuverability following a series of significant long-term investments. Murray is currently under contract with $161 million guaranteed through 2029, a figure that complicates the team’s ability to pivot or add depth around Jokic. The payroll is further impacted by substantial extensions, including Christian Braun’s $125 million, five-year deal and Aaron Gordon’s $70 million contract, which runs through 2028.

Front office executives face the reality that moving Murray could be one of the few ways to acquire multiple rotation players or future draft assets. The objective behind such a drastic move would be to diversify an offense that has historically remained hyper-dependent on the two-man game between Jokic and Murray—a partnership that secured the franchise’s first NBA championship in 2023.

Defensive Contributions Amid Trade Speculation

Despite the speculation surrounding his long-term future in Colorado, Murray has shown tangible improvement on the defensive end this season. While the Nuggets have consistently struggled defensively over the past two years—ranking 21st in defensive rating during that span—Murray has emerged as a rare bright spot. According to SI.com, Murray is currently the only high-usage player on the roster providing a positive defensive impact based on advanced metrics.

Nuggets teammate Cameron Johnson recently praised Murray’s increased intensity, noting, “He’s been bringing it defensively. He had some really good possessions in New Orleans. He had some really good possessions in Phoenix, where he is being the aggressor on the defensive end.” While Murray continues to pace the offense with 25.8 points and 5.6 assists per game, his commitment to the point of attack on defense has become a point of emphasis for a team attempting to climb out of the middle of the Western Conference standings.

The Risk of Disrupting the Core

The decision to move away from a player as synonymous with the Nuggets’ recent success as Murray carries inherent risks. Beyond the potential backlash from a fanbase that witnessed the 2023 title run, there is the long-term question of how such a move would affect Nikola Jokic. With the Serbian center approaching his 32nd birthday in February, the window for another championship is finite.

Management must now decide if the current roster’s struggles are a temporary slump or a fundamental flaw in the team’s composition. While the coaching staff continues to integrate new arrivals like DeMar DeRozan, the pressure to maintain competitiveness remains high. Whether the front office chooses to prioritize continuity or seek a radical rebalancing of the roster remains the primary uncertainty as the Nuggets move deeper into the regular season schedule.