Jamal Murray was named an All-Star for the first time in his career during the 2025-26 season, an honor that some might say was long overdue, but now he and the Nuggets need to look ahead to next season and what needs to be done not just to succeed, but to see if Jamal Murray can be named an All-Star once again.
Murray had the best season of his career by far last season, averaging 25.4 points, 7.1 assists, 4.4 rebounds and 0.9 steals per game while shooting 48.3% from the field and 43.5% from three.
His average points, rebounds, assists and steals were all career-highs, as were his shooting percentages, and that accuracy and efficiency that he showed off will be the key to the future success of his career and could be the key to unlocking the perennial All-Star within him.
Making Use of Jokic
Murray is in the best position that a guard could be in with Nikola Jokic as his teammate to create space on the floor and dish out dimes. Murray utilized the advantage that his teammate gives him more than ever and finding his spots on the floor quickly enough to establish good looks for shots was crucial to his development as a shooter.
He's always been a proficient three point shooter, but taking the next step as a true three-point specialist could be the step that he's needed to take to elevate his game. He attempted 7.5 three pointers last season, nearly one full more than his previous career-high in triple attempts, and the efficiency that followed shot up his scoring.
Three Point Specialist
Manning the perimeter also helped out Murray as a playmaker. With so much of the floor in front of him and the shared gravity of Jokic on the interior and himself on the perimeter, Murray was able to see how many more looks on the court for his teammates and take advantage of those looks with sharp passes that turned into assists.
Shooting often and from far away looks like it's the secret to Murray's success and the more that he's able to embrace that specialization in his game, the more likely he's going to remain in this upper echelon of scorers.
As the Denver Nuggets are structured now, keeping Murray as an aggressive three point shooter rather than centering his game around cuts and drives would be the best way to help the Denver offense and it could just help Murray rise higher and higher as an All-Star level guard.