The Denver Nuggets extended Jamal Murray’s contract. It’s a hefty four-year, $208 million deal at age 27. While never receiving All-Star honors, he may be the no.1 veteran player in the NBA without it on his résumé because of his Playoff work.

He has been one of the most accurate snipers over the past five seasons. Considering Murray’s status as the team’s second-best player and how key pieces have left in the past two summers (Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Bruce Brown, Jeff Green), the group will need his highest attendance since 2018-19 and the top efficiency of his career. 

This deal needed to get done, despite Murray not looking like himself while playing for Team Canada in the Olympics and laboring through a calf injury in the postseason. When he is healthy, the Blue Arrow is one of the top guards in the league because of his elusiveness, post-game, ball protection, strength and deep jumper. 

Last season, 66.3% of Murray’s two-pointers were logged without the help of a teammate. The other Nuggets assisted on 60% of his trifectas. This is a premium because it takes pressure off the reigning MVP, Nikola Jokić, from creating something through a handoff or absorbing a double team.

Additionally, he spent 63.8% of his time checking guards on defense, holding them 41.8% shooting, per the NBA’s matchup data. 

His connection with Jokić makes them the best duo in the league, too. Losing half of that down the line would have been devastating. In Nuggets all-time Playoff history, Murray is fifth in rebounding (318), fourth in steals (72), second in minutes (2,522), second in points (1,571), second in assists (401) and first in 3-point makes (172). Don’t forget the countless big-time moments, either. 

Another reason the deal was important: Jokić is at his apex and shouldn’t have to carry the group through another season without a no.2 option. He had to in 2021-22, resulting in his second MVP crown. But the Nuggets tasted champagne in June 2023—strong regular seasons won’t cut it anymore as long as the generational center is on board.

Furthermore, the Nuggets need elevated accuracy from Murray at the rim. Only 16.6% of his attempts came there last season, but he made 65.2%, which is slightly below average. 

And when Jokić sits, he needs to get more out of his teammates. Twenty-and-a-half of his passes went to the Serbian, but next on the list was Aaron Gordon at 5.8 and Michael Porter Jr. at 4.8 feeds per game. Keep in mind, AG converted 52.6% of his two-pointers on Murray’s passes, and MPJ made 43% of his trays. Yet, these dishes aren’t resulting in enough field goal attempts. The Nuggets’ offense- 11th in total feeds and third in assists- could be a factor, but he needs a secondary go-to partner. 

Christian Braun needs a third-year leap:

Murray said Braun was his project in April because the vet has high expectations for his teammate who is likely the starting shooting guard. The latter is entering his third season, a pivotal one for himself and the Nuggets.

At this point, he is a durable release valve. Braun made 37.7% of his catch-and-shoot triples in 2023-24 and over two-thirds of his twos were assisted. 

Adding to his offensive arsenal and emerging as the point-of-attack pest is essential. His accuracy drops significantly on attempts with at least two dribbles or more. This needs to improve because the Nuggets need another dribble threat to get to the rim so Murray and Jokić don’t get burnt out.  

On defense, he will likely get put on the other team’s best perimeter player since KCP left for the Orlando Magic. This role will require constant communication plus will use lots of his energy. It’s one of the most consequential jobs on the squad.

What can Russell Westbrook bring?:

The backup point guard role is locked up by a former MVP (2016-17) with plenty of juice left. He’s not as fast as he used to be, but still quicker than most. He’ll be a transition weapon after grabbing a defensive rebound or when catching a pass from Jokić while running a vertical route. 

In 2023-24, Westbrook was still creating separation,  generating 6.9 paint points, which was a higher average than All-Stars (Damian Lillard), Tyrese Haliburton (6.5), Stephen Curry (5.9) and Paul George (5.6).  Also 1.7 of his digits came on the break.

Presumably, Westbrook and Murray’s minutes will be staggered since the former’s deep and mid-range jumper is not dependable. Opponents can sag off Westbrook and trap the pass. 

Westbrook is capable of playing well on defense but has gambling habits. If they persist, he won’t be a consistent option late in matches. 

Yet, his experience, work ethic, and leadership qualities make him a positive influence on the Nuggets’ young, developing players, Peyton Watson and Julian Strawther. 

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The WNBA is in the final phase of the regular season as teams have seven or eight games left. The MVP race is likely over, courtesy of A’j Wilson’s historical campaign. Rookie of the Year was decided months ago- Caitlin Clark is one of the best in the league and better than any perimeter player on America’s Olympic team.

But there are others who deserve praise, too. Let’s review.

Connecticut Sun peaking 

In August, the Sun went 5-2 and registered 15.1 fastbreak points and 21 off turnovers, first in the W in both categories. The record is 24-8 overall.

DiJonai Carrington is a game-changing defender. Her work guarding the point of attack slows down the other squad’s offense and generates transition for the Sun.

Marina Mabrey supplies shot creation off the bench, taking pressure off Alyssa Thomas to organize everything. Mabrey’s integration has helped the Sun rise from a good to a great team. She was the difference maker in the Sun’s trip to New York on Aug. 24, registering 15 points, six rebounds and four dimes. Mabrey and a 2025 second-round pick were traded by the Chicago Sky to the Connecticut Sun on July 17th for Rachel Banham, Moriah Jefferson, two first-round picks, and one pick swap. 

Thomas impacts the game as a playmaker, rebounder and high-impact defender. 

DeWanna Bonner is still a top-notch scorer, functional as a pick-and-pop sniper and eats at the rim. 

And Brionna Jones is an efficient paint scorer and disruptor at an All-Star level. Last year, Jones played in 13 of 40 games because she tore her right Achilles tendon.

On top of that, the Sun get to the line and convert more than any other squad (22.3, 16.8) and are tied with the New York Liberty for the strictest defensive rating (94.9). 

The Sun, Lynx and Liberty are the top teams in 2024. 

Buy stock on Angel Reese

Angel Reese is having a record-setting season and, with some polishing, will become an elite player. 

Her screening and rebounding prowess are winning assets. Others want to play with someone that extends or denies possessions and gets them open. Reese’s defense is potent and so is her one-on-one coverage plus helping. And she’s powered by an unrelenting motor.

But she’s not a scoring threat. Over three-quarters of her tries come within five feet of the cup, yet she converts  43.6% at close range. 

Her offseason focus should be fixing her moves near the basket. She must raise that mark to at least 68%. In time, she and Kamilla Cardoso could be one of the top tandems in the W.

As a rookie, she’s set the new standard for rebounding and has 10 outings with at least 15 boards. A’ja Wilson was on pace to break Sylvia Fowles’ rebounding record, but Reese passed her, claiming it herself. 

Hall of Famer Nancy Lieberman recently gave her thoughts on Reese on the Stephen A. Smith Show.  Lieberman said, “She’s not the biggest player on the court. She’s not the fastest player on the court. She is tenacious.”

Wilson’s season for the ages

Wilson is a combo of strength and finesse. She’s a post and face-up monster. Without a double team, the opponent doesn’t have a chance. Barring some apocalyptic-level collapse for the Las Vegas Aces, she should secure her third MVP crown.

Some of her efficiency has dropped, but it’s from the increased usage (second in the WNBA) and putting the team on her team shoulders. 

Most of her attempts come in the paint non-restricted area (37.1), and she’s still taking 7.5 freebies nightly, the most in the league, and making 85.8%. Keep in mind that she takes more mid-range shots than at 0-3 feet, too. Her work at the line is outstanding and leads to wins- when a player gets to the stipe at high volume, they are punishing the opponent with foul trouble. Plus players like Wilson give their team a breather and if the last charity shot goes in, it usually prevents the now retreating squad from getting taken on the break. 

While some teammates performed below standard, Wilson took her game to Mt. Olympus. She is recording 4.8 points per contest more than the second-leading scorer in the league, Arike Ogunbowale. She is also tied with Cynthia Cooper for the highest points-per-game average of all time (21). Notably, Wilson’s done it, shooting 3.9% higher for her career. 

Kelsey Mitchell’s productive August 

Mitchell was the W’s second-leading scorer (25.2) and the Fever’s second-most important player in August as her team went 5-1. She’s one of the top open-court players because of her speed and shot making ability plus is the perfect partner for Caitlin Clark. Mitchell recorded 25 fastbreak digits over that span, 44% of the Fever’s production in that set.  Additionally, she was tied for second in fastbreak points in August with Allisha Gray (Atlanta Dream) and Kahleah Copper (Phoenix Mercury) behind DiJonai Carrington (Connecticut Sun, 34).

Furthermore, Mitchell had excellent 3-point accuracy on a  large monthly volume- 43.4% on 8.8 attempts. It was the second-leading mark on the team behind Lexie Hull’s grand sharpshooting- 70.8% on four hoisted deep looks per game. 

She is effective because she moves well without the ball and is elusive. When Clark is up top, Mitchell can easily slice up the baseline with a catch-and-score.  She’s a blur in the half-court and tough to track if she runs her opponents through stagger and flare screens.