The Denver Nuggets are stacked to the gills with young talents and it seems they’re intent on keeping and developing most of them. This is after Chris Dempsey of Altitude Sports has reported that the team is picking up the third-year options of three of its best young guns in Jamal Murray, Malik Beasley, and Juancho Hernangomez. All three were drafted by the Nuggets last year.
The #Nuggets have picked up third-year options on Hernangomez, Beasley & Murray.
— Chris Dempsey (@chrisadempsey) September 28, 2017
Murray was drafted seventh overall in last year’s NBA Draft and signed a two-year deal with the team. He showed glimpses of his potential to become a future star in the league when he averaged 9.9 points per game last season. He needs to work on his shooting, however, as he shot just 40.4 percent from the field in his rookie year.
Malik Beasley (19th pick) saw minimal minutes last season, playing in just 7.5 minutes. However, he’s just 20, and the Nuggets picking up their team option on him means that Denver is optimistic he’ll develop into someone more relevant.
As for Hernangomez (15th pick), he’s expected to serve as one of the many backups to Paul Millsap at the four position a year after posting averages of 4.9 points and 3.0 rebounds per contest.
Of the three, Murray has the best potential to carve out the biggest role on the team with an aging and undersized Jameer Nelson the only guy in front of him on the guard depth chart.
The Nuggets almost made the playoffs last season with a 40-42 record, good for ninth in the Western Conference. By adding Millsap to the mix and the progression of their youngsters, the Nuggets are hoping it’ll translate into them making their first playoff appearance since 2013.
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