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Denver Nuggets News: Jamal Murray’s Reveals 1st Big Offseason Move After Losing to the Minnesota Timberwolves in the Playoffs

Originally posted on Hardwood Heroics | By Jordan Samar | Last updated 5/22/24

Denver Nuggets point guard Jamal Murray plans to play for the Canadian national team this summer, as confirmed by Vinny Benedetto of the Denver Gazette.

Murray and the Denver Nuggets saw their title defense come to an abrupt end after losing to the Minnesota Timberwolves in the 2024 Western Conference semifinals in seven games.

Adding a guy like Jamal Murray gives Canada a huge boost in the quadrennial meet since he is undoubtedly one of the country’s best players.

He will likely share the backcourt with NBA MVP candidate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who will also get some much-needed rest after his Oklahoma City Thunder was also eliminated in the second round by the Dallas Mavericks.

Toronto Raptors forwards RJ Barrett and Kelly Olynyk have also committed to playing in Paris this summer. Dallas Mavericks center Dwight Powell and Minnesota Timberwolves swingman Nickeil Alexander-Walker will join them, but they are still competing in the Western Conference Finals.

Jamal Murray tried to join Canada for the FIBA World Cup last year, but he didn’t as he was fresh from a long playoff run that saw them win the NBA championship.

Jamal Murray for the Denver Nuggets in 2023-24

Jamal Murray had a solid campaign for the Denver Nuggets in 2023-24. The Toronto native played in 59 regular season games, finishing with averages of 21.2 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 6.5 assists per game on 48.1 percent shooting from the field and 42.5 percent from three-point range.

In 12 playoff games, Murray averaged 20.6 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 5.6 assists per game on 40.2 percent shooting from the field, which also saw him knock down a couple of amazing game-winners against the Los Angeles Lakers in the first round.

Because the Denver Nuggets were eliminated earlier than expected, the one-time NBA champion would get an additional month of rest ahead of the Paris Olympics.