The Denver Nuggets are not having the best offseason in the NBA, but they still have the dynamic duo of Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray.
According to CBS Sports’ John Gonzalez, Jokic and Murray are still the second-best duo in the league. They were ranked behind Victor Wembanyama and Stephon Castle or Dylan Harper of the San Antonio Spurs.
Despite the disappointing first-round exit in the 2026 NBA playoffs, Gonzalez still rated Jokic’s runner-up finish in the MVP race. “The Joker” also set career highs in rebounds and assists per game, plus he averaged a triple-double for the second consecutive season.
GettyNikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets plays the Minnesota Timberwolves in the third quarter during Game One of the First Round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs at Ball Arena on April 18, 2026 in Denver, Colorado.
Meanwhile, Murray is coming off his first All-Star nod after putting up career numbers. He carried the Nuggets for about a month when Jokic went down with a knee injury at the end of January.
“Murray is 29 and Jokić is 31. They’re both still in their prime. If they were slightly younger, they’d be atop the list,” Gonzalez wrote.
The Nuggets duo was ahead of Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams and whatever tandem the Philadelphia 76ers can create with their superteam.
Nikola Jokic Reacts to Peyton Watson Exit
GettyNikola Jokić #15 and Peyton Watson #8 of the Denver Nuggets speak during a timeout during the fourth quarter of the game against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center on November 21, 2025 in Houston, Texas.
The main priority for the Denver Nuggets this offseason was to bring back Peyton Watson, who was a restricted free agent.
However, the Nuggets were unable to retain Watson and traded him to the Cleveland Cavaliers as part of a multi-team deal with the Los Angeles Clippers, Charlotte Hornets and Washington Wizards.
Speaking to BasketNews, Nikola Jokic shared his reaction to Watson’s departure. The three-time NBA MVP was very happy for his former teammate and wished him nothing but the best.
“I’m glad for Peyton,” Jokic said. “He’s a good man, really has a good energy, very good for the locker room. We will miss him for sure, but I can’t be unhappy for him, he’s a great guy.”
Jokic added that he can’t put his attention on the Nuggets’ summer since he’s very focused on Serbia’s current window for the 2027 FIBA World Cup qualifying tournament.
Denver Nuggets on the Clock
The 2026-27 NBA season is going to be a very interesting one for the Denver Nuggets. They are coming off a first-round exit, and they looked like they got worse this offseason.
Peyton Watson was coming off the best season of his career, and they didn’t get any players for him. They did sign DeMar DeRozan to a one-year deal, which gives them a legitimate scoring threat after Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray.
However, the Nuggets are certainly on the clock in terms of Jokic’s future. He has been adamant about finishing his career in Denver, but he has yet to sign an extension. He has a player option for the 2027-28 season and could become a free agent next summer.
Denver Nuggets Stars Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray Named Second-Best NBA Duo