Big trades can prompt plenty of excitement. But there is also an element of sadness to seeing a longtime teammate being dealt to another franchise. Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray felt the bittersweet element of the deadline after the Nuggets sent Gary Harris to the Orlando Magic as part of a package for Aaron Gordon.
Murray openly expressed his emotions at learning of Harris' departure with a heartfelt Instagram post Thursday afternoon:
“My brudda..tears fell picking out my favorite pics with a flood of memories,” Murray said in the caption. “This hit just a lil different..you already kno what it is fam all love.”
The two have been teammates since the Nuggets selected Murray with the seventh overall pick in the 2016 NBA draft. But Harris will prepare for a new chapter in Orlando, while Murray prepares to welcome Gordon into the fold.
The trade could be a win-win for both teams. Harris has struggled in the last few seasons with injuries beginning to play a role. But he remains an athletic wing who can score and get hot from the perimeter. Harris can also guard multiple positions. The Magic did well to get R.J. Hampton in the deal, as well.
Meanwhile, the Nuggets get a frontcourt scorer and playmaker in Gordon, who should be a perfect complement to Nikola Jokic.
Gordon should also benefit Murray as a guy who can slip off screens for threes or set the pick and dive to the rim. He can score at the cup or make plays for teammates and should make the Nuggets even harder to guard.
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