NBA veterans have adapted to their name popping up in trade rumors. It’s part of the business. However, for young players their first experience with their name becoming grist for the rumor mill it can be disconcerting — they have no control, they hear rumors, and at any point they could be asked to pack up and move across the country to play for another team.
Enter Jamal Murray. After a solid rookie season with the Nuggets (remember he was the Rising Stars Challenge MVP), this summer Murray’s name came up in potential trades for Jimmy Butler and still for Kyrie Irving. Obviously, nothing has yet to pan out (it was reported the Nuggets would not include Murray in a Butler deal). But the rumors have swirled.
Murray admitted it threw him off, speaking to Donnovan Bennett of Sportsnet Canada.
The Nuggets like Murray and see him as the potential point guard of their future — if they are putting him in a deal they are going to expect a lot back. Which probably means he isn’t going anywhere.
And next time around, when Murray hears the rumors, his skin will be a little thicker to them.
