The 2021-22 NBA season will be a tricky course to navigate for the Denver Nuggets. Not only have opposing teams reemerged from the ashes with their offseason hauls, but the Nuggets will push through with the season without star guard Jamal Murray.
With that in mind, here are five big questions for the team—a chunk of which involve Murray and a few about the other Nuggets players.
1. Who will step up to fill in the void left by Jamal Murray?
The biggest question will revolve around how the Nuggets will cope without Murray who suffered an ACL tear in April. Players who experience that type of injury usually miss out a full year to recover. In 48 games last season, Murray averaged 21.2 points on 47.7 percent shooting from the field and 40.8 percent from deep, 4.0 rebounds, and 4.8 assists. These numbers do not just paint a stellar picture of Murray. This new season, these contributions will be missed by the Nuggets.
Reigning MVP Nikola Jokic, however, won't go down without a fight. Michael Porter Jr. too is expected to step up. But will their efforts be enough? How about Nuggets guards such as Facundo Campazzo, Monte Morris, and PJ Dozier? Will they be able to hold the fort without Murray?
2. How deep will their playoff run be without Murray?
The Nuggets' last two campaigns in the NBA Playoffs showed how important Murray is to the team. In 2020, Murray played a key part in their consecutive 3-1 comebacks against the Utah Jazz and the Los Angeles Clippers. Murray's shotmaking, tenacity, and leadership were on full display during their memorable run. They couldn't go all the way though as they were stonewalled by the powerhouse Los Angeles Lakers. But what Murray did in the NBA Bubble was nothing short of fantastic.
Last season, the Nuggets beat the Portland Trail Blazers in six games in the first round. But against the Phoenix Suns, they were surprisingly swept. Obviously, there are tons of differences between both campaigns. But at the same time, we cannot discount how the Nuggets struggled without Murray. There's no question coach Mike Malone and crew will make it to the postseason. The question is what seed will they be and how far can they go. Predictions so far have not been too optimistic. Some believe that the Nuggets will make the NBA Playoffs as the seventh or eighth seed.
3. Will the Nuggets pull off a trade to fill in Murray's absence?
The midseason will be a good indicator if the Nuggets can make a deep postseason run without Murray or not. While injuries are a part of the game, the Nuggets cannot afford to have a season go to waste. They can if they're a rebuilding squad still in search of an identity. But the Nuggets have been one of the top teams in the league for a couple of years now. They cannot just sit back and wait for Murray to recover.
With this in mind, there's a possibility the front office will make some key roster adjustments to fill in Murray's absence. Some may call this unnecessary. Especially since the squad has developed strong chemistry over the years. But this may be the only way for the Nuggets to survive this season.
4. Can Michael Porter Jr. become an All-Star?
Outside of the concerns surrounding Murray, all eyes will also be on Porter. The young gun has managed to work his way into the starting lineup with relative ease. This is a great feat considering MPJ joined a team with an already solid foundation headlined by Jokic and Murray. Porter's rise was a combination of his talent, hard work, and Malone's patience in slowly integrating him into the system.
Safe to say it paid off as Porter inked a five-year contract extension worth $172 million. Reports reveal that he could earn up to $207 million in that five-year span depending if he makes the All-Star, All-NBA, or All-Defensive teams or wins MVP or Defensive Player of the Year. Money is obviously a form of motivation. But ultimately, fans want to see MPJ turn into a great player simply because he wants to be great. An All-Star nod would be the first step to achieve this.
5. Will Aaron Gordon's first full season be better?
The trade that acquired Gordon was a welcome move seen to boost the team's chances at snagging more wins. Gordon did well. In 25 regular season games for the Nuggets, he averaged 10.2 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 2.2 assists across 25.9 minutes. He posted similar averages in the postseason: 11.1 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 2.0 assists in 29.9 minutes. However, a closer look reveals he was a non-factor in the NBA Playoffs, to the point of being a liability.
There were numerous games where he logged in just single-digits in points—an unacceptable production from someone expected to become a focal point of the offense. We can forgive Gordon. Maybe he was just figuring out what his exact role was. But this coming season, we need answers from him. He needs to boost his production and become consistent.
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