Jamal Murray is the X-factor for the Denver Nuggets. If this team wants to win another championship, he has to play like an All-Star, just like he did en route to a title in 2023.

The Nuggets knew that they needed more from their lead guard after he shot just a touch over 40% from the field in the second round loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder. He had some great flashes in the postseason, but was inconsistent in key moments, especially when the Thunder ramped up the physicality, an aspect of the game that he’s struggled with in each of the past two postseasons.

Heading into an important 2025-26 campaign for the Nuggets, Murray’s head coach, David Adelman, had great things to say about the summer he’s had since Nuggets fans last saw him in Game 7 of the second round when he shot 6-of-16 from the field.

MURRAY MADE STRIDES OFF THE COURT

“Jamal had an amazing summer. He looks good. I think mentally, he’s great. I give him so much credit, in Los Angeles, the guys got together, a voluntary action to come play in LA and just kind of get a feel for one another,” Adelman said at Nuggets Media Day on Monday.

It wasn’t just about Murray’s play on the court — which looked great — as Adelman was also pleased with what he saw from Murray outside the lines.

“But it’s not just about getting on the court together. It’s about going and hanging out, grabbing something to eat, possibly a drink. So it was good to see Jamal take the lead on that. it’s always cool to see when the veteran guys, you know, involved, the two way players ever there that they have no relationship with,” Adelman said.

Murray gave a simple answer as to why he went out of his way to foster those relationships with the young guys.

“I’m just trying to win a championship. When you lose, you try to find some motivation and the will to get back in there, and it really starts something fresh. And, you know, the front office made some moves. We got a lot of new faces. So, you know, we need to put our best foot forward as a group, and I’ll try to get the job done,” Murray said.

FIXING SLOW STARTS

Slow starts have been an issue for the Blue Arrow over the last few seasons, and he emphasized his focus on having a good November to kick this season off. The last two Novembers haven’t been the best for him, as he played just four games and averaged 12.5 points per game in 2023, while he shot 43% from the field last November.

“I’m just focused on having a really great November… That’s my best, my biggest thing, having a great November,” Murray said.

The spring months have generally been better than the fall ones for Murray over the last few years. That could be part of the reason why he still hasn’t been selected as an All-Star in the eight seasons he’s played in, as his stats at the break don’t look as good as they do when it’s all said and done due to those slow starts.

Adelman shared his thoughts on how Murray can right the ship and come out of the gates firing this season.

“I think the best way to buck trends is not to think about what happened before… I think from what I saw this summer, you know, he has a lot of momentum going that way. And I want to make sure that it’s not Jamal’s start. It’s not just about Jamal. It’s about how the team starts… The most important thing is just team success, the wins and losses. And you know, Jamal success will come with team success, in my opinion,” Adelman said.

The Nuggets need Jamal Murray. He’s dazzled in moments throughout the years for the 2023 champions, and they need a full season of consistency from him. He said that he’s rested heading into this year, and seems poised to have one of the biggest seasons of his career.