Nuggets news: Jamal Murray expected to have breakout season, per NBA GMs

General managers from all across the NBA landscape recently chose Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray as the player who is most likely to have a breakout season.

General managers from all across the NBA landscape recently came together to predict who will win some of the various awards in the coming season. Amid their selections, the GM's chose Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray as the player who is most likely to have a breakout season.

Murray received 20 percent of the votes from GM's in this category. Lakers swingman Brandon Ingram and Celtics forward Jayson Tatum finished second in the polling with 10 percent of the votes.

Via NBA.com:

Which player is most likely to have a breakout season in 2018-19?

1. Jamal Murray, Denver – 20%

2. Brandon Ingram, L.A. Lakers – 10%

Jayson Tatum, Boston – 10%

4. Aaron Gordon, Orlando – 7%

Kyle Kuzma, L.A. Lakers – 7%

Kawhi Leonard, Toronto – 7%

Lauri Markkanen, Chicago – 7%

Dejounte Murray, San Antonio – 7%

Ben Simmons, Philadelphia – 7%

Also receiving votes: Markelle Fultz, Philadelphia; Donovan Mitchell, Utah; Kelly Oubre Jr., Washington; Josh Richardson, Miami; Dennis Smith Jr., Dallas; Karl-Anthony Towns, Minnesota.

Murray, now 21 years of age, has made solid progression in the NBA. In fact, his stats have improved each season thus far. The third-year ball handler out of The University of Kentucky made 81 appearances with the Nuggets during their 2017-18 regular season campaign, racking up averages of 16.7 points on 45.1 percent shooting from the field (37.8 percent from beyond the arc), 3.7 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and 1.0 steal in 31.7 minutes per outing.

Murray played 19 minutes in Denver's preseason opener against the Los Angeles Lakers last week, scoring 18 points on 2-of-3 shooting from the field, two rebounds, one assist, and one steal.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pszo6GxFTD8

Murray, who tweaked his ankle a bit against the Lakers, was held out of Denver's second preseason game for precautionary measures. However, he should be well enough to return to the lineup for Saturday's exhibition against the Perth Wildcats inside The Pepsi Center. If not, there's a good chance we'll see him in Denver's regular season opener.