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Colin Cowherd Casts Doubt on Denver Nuggets’ Title Future, Calls for Rethink of Jamal Murray’s Role
May 20, 2025
Following the Denver Nuggets’ heartbreaking Game 7 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference Semifinals, veteran sports analyst Colin Cowherd offered a blunt assessment of the reigning champions’ future — and it centered squarely on Jamal Murray.
In his postgame analysis, Cowherd argued that the Nuggets may no longer be legitimate title contenders unless they make a significant change in their backcourt, specifically by upgrading from Murray, who has long been regarded as the franchise’s co-star alongside three-time MVP Nikola Jokić.
“For as much as Jamal Murray has meant to the Nuggets organization, I just don’t think he’s the right second option next to Jokic anymore,” Cowherd said on The Herd. “In too many big games, he’s either injured or not impactful. He was never hyper-athletic to begin with. I think it’s time to shuffle the deck.”
Cowherd went on to praise younger players like Christian Braun for stepping up in key moments and suggested the team’s core should be restructured moving forward.
“I would keep Aaron Gordon, Braun for his energy, obviously keep Jokic — but I’d take any call on everyone else,” he stated, emphasizing a willingness to consider major moves to retool the roster.
Questioning Murray’s Max-Contract Value
Cowherd’s comments may seem harsh, but they reflect growing scrutiny around Murray’s performance relative to his expected value. The Canadian guard, who will begin earning upwards of $50 million annually under his upcoming contract extension, has not consistently delivered the production expected of a max-level player.
During the 2024–25 regular season, Murray averaged 21.4 points per game while shooting a respectable 39.3% from beyond the arc in 67 appearances. Solid numbers, but not elite — especially when paired with Jokic’s MVP-caliber output this season.
The scrutiny intensified in the postseason, where Murray’s performance was marked by inconsistency. In the decisive Game 7 loss to Oklahoma City, he managed only 13 points on 1-of-8 shooting from three-point range, raising questions about his ability to rise to the occasion in critical moments.
“Jamal Murray provided very little,” Cowherd added. “They played their hearts out early, but from [Alex] Caruso’s defense on Jokic to Murray’s absence, it just wasn’t going to be their day. Cason Wallace was hitting shots — Denver didn’t have the firepower.”
What’s Next for Denver?
Jamal Murray was instrumental in Denver’s 2023 championship run and has repeatedly demonstrated a strong postseason pedigree. However, with the Western Conference only getting deeper, Cowherd’s assessment may reflect a broader conversation the Nuggets’ front office will need to confront this offseason.
With Jokic still in his prime and the team committed to competing at the highest level, decisions on personnel — and particularly on Murray’s role — could shape the trajectory of Denver’s future championship hopes.
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